Troubled AFC Leopards send Dutch coach De Jongh packing

AFC Leopards coach Pieter De Jongh during a past match. Leopards on December 28, 2014 fired coach Pieter De Jongh, ending what has been a troubled marriage with the Dutchman. PHOTO | FILE |

What you need to know:

  • De Jongh however failed to guide Ingwe to any silverware in what turned out to be a difficult season as the club finished seventh with 41 points.

Kenyan Premier League side AFC Leopards have fired coach Pieter De Jongh, ending what has been a troubled marriage with the Dutchman.

Club chairman Allan Kasavuli announced De Jongh’s sacking yesterday at a poorly attended special general meeting in Nairobi on Sunday.

“We have sent the entire technical bench packing. De Jongh will not be part of the team next season,” Kasavuli said at the meeting.

“We have begun rebuilding and we want to get things right before the New Year,” Kasavuli added.

The Dutch tactician took charge of Leopards midway through the first leg of the ended campaign from James Nandwa whom the club relived of his duties in the wake of a disastrous run.

DIFFICULT SEASON

De Jongh however failed to guide Ingwe to any silverware in what turned out to be a difficult season as the club finished seventh with 41 points.

The 44-year-old Dutchman’s major highlight of the season was masterminding a 3-1 victory over bitter rivals Gor Mahia in a league match in June and reaching the final of the KPL Top Eight tournament where the team lost 2-1 to Tusker.

Saturday’s special general meeting was called to discuss the club’s financial report of the ending year but the day’s agenda was not exhausted due to lack of quorum.