Javier Martinez Espinoza: Vipers sack Mexican coach

Dec 30, 2018

The Kitende-based club parts ways with the 46-year-old tactician after being at the helm for four months.

UGANDAN FOOTBALL

By Joseph Kizza

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KITENDE - Ugandan top-flight football side Vipers SC have fired Mexican head coach Javier Martinez Espinoza after four months in charge.

He leaves the club in second place on the Premier League table, five points adrift of leaders KCCA FC, but who have played more two games.

Following a string of disappointing results, the hierarchy at St. Mary's Stadium decided to pull the plug and terminate the services of the 46-year-old tactician, who was unveiled only in August and had yet to complete his contract.

"Vipers SC will in the next 24 hours make major announcements on the new technical team after the restructuring aimed at helping Vipers achieve its desired objectives at both local and international level," the club said on its official website on Saturday.

With the head coach out, the club will need a quick fix ahead of their next Premier League game on Wednesday against URA FC.

Another one through the exit door

The revolving door at St. Mary's Stadium sees yet another foreign coach leave the club.

Exactly 146 days ago, Martinez was introduced to the public as the defending champions' new boss, taking over from Portuguese Miguel da Costa, who had been fired after winning the league title.

The Mexican's arrival was the third foreign appointment by the club headed by former FUFA chairperson Lawrence Mulindwa. Nigerian Ambrose Chukuma had also previously taken the wheel.

Nearly five months down the road, Martinez won't complete his initial two-year deal.

Ambitions

Three-time Ugandan league champions Vipers have big ambitions.

Since starting off their metamorphosis by changing name from Bunamwaya FC to Vipers SC in 2012, the club has seen their status elevated from being limited to playing only local football to more lucrative continental engagements.

But participation on the continent, which comes with winning either the Premier League or the Uganda Cup - which Vipers have - has not been satisfactory.

After winning the 2010 league title, it was a no-show at the 2011 CAF Champions League because of financial reasons. And while they were more prepared to play in the 2016 edition after clinching the league title, Vipers failed to go beyond the preliminary round - eliminated by Enyimba FC of Nigeria.

The following season, it was a first round exit for the club in the 2017 CAF Confederation Cup, which they took part in after winning the Uganda Cup.

This time around, the holders again came up short on the continent, failing to progress to the group stage of the Champions League courtesy of home-and-away defeats to Algerian side CS Constantine.

Martinez oversaw the latest piece of continental frustration - and he will not have a chance at redemption as Vipers, who have since been relegated to the CAF Confederation Cup, next meet Tunisian giants CS Sfaxien in the playoffs early next year.

Adiós Martinez

Vipers SC has this evening terminated the services of its head coach Javier Martinez Espinoza.

The club management thanks the Mexican tactician for the services rendered to the club.

Vipers SC shall in the next 24 hours make major announcements on the new technical team. pic.twitter.com/WdSwyiwEkU
— Vipers Sports Club (@VipersSC) December 29, 2018

Unbeaten streak

Away from the continent, Vipers under Martinez have been doing fine domestically.

They are unbeaten this season in the league, having mustered seven wins and four draws from their 11 games played so far.

Trailing KCCA by five points, the Venoms can overtake their closest challengers if they win their two games in hand.

Saturday's goalless draw at home against Tooro United may have sealed Martinez's fate, but tougher tests lie ahead.

The club will travel to fifth-placed URA mid-next week in a bid to kick off the new year on a high.