)
With the job still up for grabs, many in football circles believe it is the right time for FUFA to consider hiring a local coach for the role instead of the overpriced foreign tacticians whose presence has hardly moved the team to the next level.
The Uganda Cranes head coach job fell vacant after FUFA and Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic mutually agreed to terminate the Serbian’s contract last Thursday.
Two days later, the federation put out an advert calling for qualified persons to apply and fill the void. The application process will go on until Friday, September 22, 2023, before FUFA sits to filter out and find the most suitable candidate for the role.
With the job still up for grabs, many in football circles believe it is the right time for FUFA to consider hiring a local coach for the role instead of the overpriced foreign tacticians whose presence has hardly moved the team to the next level.
)
09:41 - 16.09.2023
FOOTBALL Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic: FUFA start search for Uganda Cranes head coach
Apart from Micho’s replacement, the federation is also looking for an assistant coach, goalkeeping trainer as well as a Strength and Conditioning coach.
But who are some of the Ugandan coaches capable of taking up the role and delivering results? Pulse Sports takes a look at the three top candidates whose track record suggests they are good enough for the job.
Pulse Sports highlights three managers who have made their names, are capable of taking the Cranes forward and are currently unemployed.
Mike Mutebi
Mutebi has been out of work since April 2022, when he was fired by Rwandan side AS Kigali and is available on the market.
)
He is said to have been offered the Cranes job before Micho’s second stint, and he turned it down.
He is most remembered for his tenure at KCCA when he helped the club get into the CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League Group Stages in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
)
07:56 - 17.09.2023
OPINION FUFA must take a risk on local coaches to manage Uganda Cranes
Uganda has had Micho, paid him a reported salary of $25,000 and still missed out on qualifying for the AFCON two editions in a row.
He also helped the Kasasiro Boys to their first-ever League and Cup double.
A teacher of the game who wants to do things his way, Mutebi comes with stringent conditions.
He is certainly not a gun-for-hire kind of manager and requires time to build a team. He was successful at KCCA and is immensely missed on the touchline by football fans.
)
11:58 - 15.09.2023
FOOTBALL Milutin Sredojevic: Ugandans 'afraid' Micho may make a third coming
As such, a section of fans fear Micho could return to the country for yet another round.
Mutebi is also the last Ugandan manager to take charge of the Cranes and certainly has what it takes to get the best out of the talent Uganda has at the moment.
Sam Ssimbwa
Ssimbwa’s last appointment in Ugandan football was at newly-promoted Kitara FC, a team he helped win the FUFA Big League and earn promotion to the top flight.
Having taken over on January 30 to replace Mark Twinamatsiko, Ssimbwa managed to win eight of the 15 Big League games he was in charge of, drew six and lost only once on the way to the UPL.
)
He is a winner who helped Express FC to the 2012 league title and also impressed in the three seasons spent at URA FC.
He is currently unemployed but is one of the most sought-after tacticians in the country.
Abdallah Mubiru
The former KCCA FC, Vipers SC, Police FC and Uganda Cranes head coach recently turned down an appointment by the federation to be the assistant coach of the Crested Cranes.
He has been out of work since leaving Tanzanian outfit Mbeya City but is probably looking for a more significant challenge.
)
13:06 - 19.09.2023
FOOTBALL Understanding the Crested Cranes coaching paradox
To add to the confusion, FUFA appointed Abdallah Mubiru as the assistant coach, leaving many questioning the move.
Having joined Mbeya City in June last year, the tactician is back home and is one of the best options on the market.
His approach to the game and love for possession-based football means that he would preside over the kind of game Ugandans love to watch.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)