Only Logarusic can decide AFC Leopards future: Onyino

AFC Leopards interim chairman Walter Onyino on Wednesday said that unsettled club head coach Zdravko Logarusic holds his future in his own hands.

The outspoken Croat is on a go slow and has kept off the team’s training as well as giving their last two league matches a wide berth demanding payment of his salary arrears.

Logarusic failed to travel with the team to Awendo last week to face Sony Sugar in a league match that they lost 2-1, and was again missing from the technical bench on Monday as Ingwe scored a stoppage time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Bandari.

Onyino, who was recently elected to chair the interim committee after weeks of leadership squabbles at the Kenyan Premier League giants said: “It’s up to him to decide.”

“The ball is on his (Logarusic) court and I will not give ultimatums to him or anyone including the players until that moment when we play our part and restore normalcy,” he said.

Asked on what action the club had taken on claims by the coach that he was being sabotaged by some members of his backroom staff, Onyino said: “He has raised that issue with me. But how do we act? When he says so and so is working to bring him down and we have no evidence, how do you address such?”

Leopards have been walking a tight financial rope owing to lack of shirt sponsors, leading to the exit of several key players during the June transfer window.

RAISE MONEY

However, the club boss insisted that the issue at hand is to raise monies to pay the coach and the players three months salary arrears.

“Right now we are trying to get the money to pay him. If he still wants to work for Leopards after that, it’s up to him. It is a fact that we owe him money and this has been accrued over time. We have just been in office for five weeks,” he said.

“I don’t think he has been in the mood of discussing anything without money. We have a fundraiser on Friday because sponsorship is not just easy to come by. We have talked to 32 corporates but the financial calendar does not allow. Again, they point at hooliganism amongst our fans and no brand wants to associate with that.”

Contacted, Logarusic declined to comment on the matter. Ingwe are currently placed fifth on the log on 35 points, 11 shy of leaders Gor Mahia.