FORMER Warriors assistant coach Lloyd Mutasa has shipped out of Mandava before he was kicked away after he heard that his bosses were already negotiating with other coaches.
MUKUDZEI CHINGWERE
Norman Mapeza is understood to have already signed a contract to take over.
Mutasa resigned from the helm of FC Platinum yesterday after managing a meagre 25 points from 18 matches this season.
The decision to ditch the coach is believed to have been arrived at after last week’s 0-0 draw at home to Chapungu. Mutasa is rumoured to have been sounded of his imminent departure and chose a more respectable way out.
The departure of Samaita comes as no surprise with the former Dynamos coach’s tactical wits failing to convince fans and some members of the executive.
Patrick Mandizha has been temporarily appointed the caretaker coach following Mutasa’s departure with his deputy Ralph Kawondera.
FC Platinum media liaison officer Chido Chizondo confirmed the resignation of Mutasa and the appointment of Mandizha.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“Yes, I can confirm that he has resigned. We did not fire him, but he just decided to leave the club,” Chizondo said.
“He has left us in a fix because we have a game on Saturday [tomorrow]. Patrick [Mandizha] will thus assume the head coaches duties immediately.”
Samaita was appointed as a stop-gap measure last season replacing Tendai Chikuni. In his short spell, he convinced the platinum miners executive to give him a two-year contract to oversee the transformation of the team.
During his time at the helm, Mutasa was crowned champion of the Uhuru Cup as the major highlight of his short stint in Zvishavane.
A statement from the club read: “FC Platinum regrets to announce the resignation of the head coach Lloyd Mutasa who today, Thursday August 7 2014, advised club president George Mawere of his intention to step down from the team following what he believed was its failure to live up to its full potential.
Mr Mawere, who has since accepted the resignation, has appointed interim coach Patrick Mandizha, who is currently assistant coach in the junior development programme.
“A substantive coach will be announced as soon as the executive identifies a suitable candidate to take over the position. The club executive and management wishes Mutasa the best in his future endeavours and hopes he will continue to work with the club in its quest to fully unlock the potential in its junior players some of whom have been promoted to the senior team.
“Club president Mawere has appealed to FC Platinum fans and partners to continue supporting the team and remain calm as it goes through the transition period.”
In an interview later yesterday, Mawere said: “We are not in a hurry to appoint a new coach. It is like a marriage and we want a lasting solution. We will take our time.
“We want someone who understands the demands of the community and everything that is associated with us.
“Our community is very small and we do not want to be creating problems for ourselves.
“We worked very well with Mutasa and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
