Tusker ended Robert Matano's six-year spell as head coach in July leaving behind a legacy of multiple titles and club success.
Four-time FKF Premier League-winning coach Robert Matano has opened up about his recent departure from Tusker FC, a move that ended his commendable six-year tenure with the club.
The self-declared ‘lion of Kenyan football’ has left a significant void in the Ruaraka-based club where he clinched three league titles and additional domestic cups, solidifying his status as one of the most successful coaches in the club’s history.
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Matano, who has since joined Sofapaka, has revealed the reasons behind his decision to leave.
"I left because my contract expired. Again, despite that, I felt I have done a lot for Tusker and it was time to exit and seek another challenge. I have no regrets because I have given my best and what was within my capacity," said Matano as quoted by Citizen Digital.
The veteran coach expressed his gratitude towards the Tusker management acknowledging their support during his tenure.
"I thank the management for giving me an opportunity to work with them for the second time. In this time, I have won the League with them thrice, Kenyan Super Cup, and Top 8 Cup. Generally, I am a very proud man. I made Tusker a title contender every season," he added.
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Despite the successes, Matano describes his final three seasons as the most challenging.
"We have had a lot of challenges for the last three seasons. The management has been investing in one area which is paying players’ salaries but ignored other areas which I am not ready to mention publicly but a lot was happening behind the scenes," he detailed.
Matano’s departure has raised concerns about the potential impact on the team's performance and stability.
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Sources close to the club affairs suggest that although Matano was prepared to extend his stay, disagreements over player signings with the club hierarchy led to his decision to leave.
"I believe had we been supported in all areas, we would have lifted the league last season and then just concluded one. I pray they work on these shortcomings for my successor to succeed for I am leaving behind a stable team," he noted.
Matano, who initially joined Tusker FC in 2012 and later returned in 2018, has been at the helm through some of the club's most triumphant periods.
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During his second stint, he led the team to back-to-back Premier League titles in the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons, and a Kenyan Super Cup in 2021-22, alongside securing a Top 8 Cup victory.
His achievements made him the first coach to lift three league titles with Tusker, surpassing the record previously set by Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee.
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Robert Matano leaves Tusker FC after six-year second stint
Matano has left Tusker after months of indifferences with the club's management, with the writing being on the wall for quite some time now.
Under his guidance the Brewers not only achieved significant domestic success but also consistently challenged for titles, breaking the dominance of traditional giants like Gor Mahia.
His departure marks the end of a significant chapter in Tusker's history and poses a new challenge for the club in finding a successor who can continue his legacy.
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