SERBIAN Kosta Papic dramatically walked out on struggling Chippa United yesterday with reports linking him to rival Premier Soccer League club Polokwane City.
With the season only a few weeks old, unhappiness within the Chippa camp has forced the PSL new boys to start hunting for a new manager. Papic said yesterday the trouble in the camp started when Chippa decided to bring in former Moroka Swallows coach Mich D’Avray as a technical director this week.
When an upset Papic got wind of D’Avray’s appointment he reportedly started negotiating with other clubs.
He spent most of yesterday thrashing the matter out with United owner Chippa Mpengesi. “Yes it is true that I’m leaving Chippa United because I wasn’t happy with the management’s decision to appoint Mich D’Avray as a technical director of the team,” said the 54-year-old, affectionately known as Bill Clinton because of his mop of silver hair.
“I don’t work with technical directors in my professional coaching career and that’s how I work. I don’t say that I don’t like Mich but I’m leaving because of the decision to appoint him.”
He said he had enjoyed his short stay in PE and he had also enjoyed the atmosphere and electrifying vibe created by fans at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Club spokesman Lukhanyo Mzimzi yesterday confirmed Papic’s departure. “We emphasise that the parties have agreed to part ways mutually due to the club’s commitment to stakeholders to appoint a technical director during this season as part of its bid to be competitive.
“The coach, who was not in agreement with the above-mentioned decision did not wish to interfere in the arrangements of the club and rather chose to resign.”
Social media was abuzz with the news of Papic’s imminent departure and he has been linked to Polokwane City, who parted ways with their coach Boebie Williams at the weekend.
Papic said yesterday he has not been approached by any team yet for his services and may well be heading back home to Serbia.
Fortunately for Chippa, there is an international break this weekend and this will allow them some breathing space to sort out a problem which could potentially derail their season before it even gets off the ground. Chippa’s next game PSL game is against Moroka Swallows next Sunday.
D’Avray could come into the reckoning as head coach. He represented Ipswich Town, Leicester and England U21s during his playing career as a midfielder. He has also coached Cape Town Spurs, South Africa U23, Perth Glory and Bloemfontein Celtic.
Chippa, under Papic, got off to a sluggish start this season winning only one match in five and speculation had already started that Papic may get the chop.
Chippa have employed a revolving door policy with coaches in recent years using and mind-boggling eight coaches since 2012. There had been high hopes that a move to PE would bring stability to the fledgling professional side, but the latest developments indicate that there could be a rocky road ahead.
Assistant coach Roger Sikhakhane will take over as caretaker coach until a new mentor is appointed.
In the latest development, SuperSport United yesterday confirmed they have signed Gordon Igesund on a two-year contract.
Papic parts ways with Chilli Boys
With the season only a few weeks old, unhappiness within the Chippa camp has forced the PSL new boys to start hunting for a new manager. Papic said yesterday the trouble in the camp started when Chippa decided to bring in former Moroka Swallows coach Mich D’Avray as a technical director this week.
When an upset Papic got wind of D’Avray’s appointment he reportedly started negotiating with other clubs.
He spent most of yesterday thrashing the matter out with United owner Chippa Mpengesi. “Yes it is true that I’m leaving Chippa United because I wasn’t happy with the management’s decision to appoint Mich D’Avray as a technical director of the team,” said the 54-year-old, affectionately known as Bill Clinton because of his mop of silver hair.
“I don’t work with technical directors in my professional coaching career and that’s how I work. I don’t say that I don’t like Mich but I’m leaving because of the decision to appoint him.”
He said he had enjoyed his short stay in PE and he had also enjoyed the atmosphere and electrifying vibe created by fans at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Club spokesman Lukhanyo Mzimzi yesterday confirmed Papic’s departure. “We emphasise that the parties have agreed to part ways mutually due to the club’s commitment to stakeholders to appoint a technical director during this season as part of its bid to be competitive.
“The coach, who was not in agreement with the above-mentioned decision did not wish to interfere in the arrangements of the club and rather chose to resign.”
Social media was abuzz with the news of Papic’s imminent departure and he has been linked to Polokwane City, who parted ways with their coach Boebie Williams at the weekend.
Papic said yesterday he has not been approached by any team yet for his services and may well be heading back home to Serbia.
Fortunately for Chippa, there is an international break this weekend and this will allow them some breathing space to sort out a problem which could potentially derail their season before it even gets off the ground. Chippa’s next game PSL game is against Moroka Swallows next Sunday.
D’Avray could come into the reckoning as head coach. He represented Ipswich Town, Leicester and England U21s during his playing career as a midfielder. He has also coached Cape Town Spurs, South Africa U23, Perth Glory and Bloemfontein Celtic.
Chippa, under Papic, got off to a sluggish start this season winning only one match in five and speculation had already started that Papic may get the chop.
Chippa have employed a revolving door policy with coaches in recent years using and mind-boggling eight coaches since 2012. There had been high hopes that a move to PE would bring stability to the fledgling professional side, but the latest developments indicate that there could be a rocky road ahead.
Assistant coach Roger Sikhakhane will take over as caretaker coach until a new mentor is appointed.
In the latest development, SuperSport United yesterday confirmed they have signed Gordon Igesund on a two-year contract.
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