Vipers SC part ways with Head Coach Lavagne after three months

Vipers SC have begun the search for a new head coach following the departure of French tactician Denis Lavagne, whose three-month reign at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende ended on Saturday.

The club confirmed the development in a statement, announcing that the two parties had mutually agreed to terminate their contractual relationship with effect from October 24, 2026.

“Vipers Sports Club informs its stakeholders and the general public that it has, by mutual consent, ended its contractual relationship with Mr Denis Lavagne (head coach),” read part of the statement.

“The club would like to thank Lavagne for his services during his stay at the Venoms family and wishes him the best in his career development,” it added.

Lavagne’s departure came a day after Vipers were held to a goalless draw by Police FC at Kitende in a Uganda Premier League (UPL) encounter watched by club proprietor Lawrence Mulindwa, who appeared frustrated by the result.

The Frenchman’s tenure had been characterised by inconsistent performances, with the defending champions struggling to meet expectations despite their ambitions of retaining the league title and making an impact in continental football.

His first assignment was the CECAFA Kagame Cup in Kigali, Rwanda, where Vipers failed to progress beyond the group stage.

However, hopes rose after the Venoms defeated Kitara 3-1 to win the FUFA Super Cup ahead of the new league season.

Those hopes were quickly dampened when Vipers suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to Entebbe UPPC in their league opener.

The biggest setback came in the CAF Champions League, a competition for which Lavagne’s experience had made him an attractive appointment.

Vipers were eliminated in the first preliminary round by Mauritania’s FC Nouadhibou on the away-goals rule after a 1-1 draw at Kitende and a goalless stalemate in Nouakchott.

Despite the continental disappointment, Mulindwa gave the coach another opportunity to prove himself in domestic competitions.

However, Vipers continued to drop points, drawing 1-1 with Maroons before Friday’s stalemate against Police, results that further increased pressure on the technical team.

Their most convincing victories came against newly promoted sides Ntugasaze, whom they beat 3-0 at Kitende, and Kataka, who suffered a 5-0 defeat in Bukedea.

Lavagne leaves Vipers fifth in the league standings with 11 points from six matches, eight behind leaders BUL FC, who have collected 19 points from seven games.

His assistant, John Ayala, is expected to take charge on an interim basis as the club searches for a permanent replacement, although no successor had been officially announced by press time.

Vipers host Mbarara City at Kitende on Wednesday as they seek to get their title defence back on track.

Interestingly, Lavagne’s predecessor, Ivan Minnaert, was also dismissed despite guiding Vipers to the league title last season.