Barely a month after the departure of Portuguese tactician Miguel da Costa, Vipers SC have unveiled a new manager.
At a press conference held in Kitende on Monday, the reigning Uganda Premier League champions introduced Mexican, Javier Martinez Espinosa as the man to take charge at Vipers SC.
Espinosa has signed a two year renewable contract that will see him at the St. Mary’s stadium in Kitende until the close of the 2019/20 season.
He was chosen over 10 other applicants two of whom were Uganda after the club advertised the vacancy upon relieving Miguel da Costa of his duties after the just concluded CECAFA Kagame cup.
Speaking at the press conference, Vipers patron Dr. Lawrence Mulidwa emphasised that one of the reasons why the team brings in a new coach despite his predecessor winning the league is because they thought Da Costa was not fit to guide the team further.
“About five years ago, Vipers came up with a strategic plan and am happy we are following it critically, said Mulindwa.
“Among the strategic adjectives was to make Vipers number one in the country and i can confidently say we are on the right track.
“We also pointed out that we wanted the club to own a stadium and we now own it and i can say everything is going on well. We have embarked on upgrading the playing surface so as we use it next season.
“We have moved to the continent so we refreshing our selves and the changes are still forth coming, continued the former FUFA President.
On Miguel da Costa who was sacked last month, Mulindwa had this to say;
“I Would like to thank Da Costa for the work well done and we salute him together with his team. He was not a bad coach but we thought he would not lead us to achieving our objectives.
“We don’t want to just see Vipers participating but rather competing in every competition.
“Management sat and decided that we should acquire someone new to take us to the next level.
“The scouting and technical team have moved across the globe to ensure they identify a suitable substitute. It was not easy to make a decision as we received many applications and brought some into the country for interviews.
Espinosa becomes the third foreign coach in Vipers’ history after Ambrose Chukuma (Nigeria) and Miguel da Costa (Portuguese).
Speaking at the unveiling, Espinosa expressed delight to be working in Uganda.
“It’s a pleasure to be in Uganda and glad that Dr. Mulindwa has given me a chance to work here.
“I am aware that Vipers won the league last season but we have professional targets to try and achieve next season.
“One of them is to retain the league and also compete in the CAF Champions league on top of putting the players in a suitable position so as to break into the National team and also try to venture into professional football.
On why he chose Vipers SC, the former Juventus SC in Nicaragua said;
“Vipers project was the best option for me professionally and personally.
“I played professional football for 10 years and always wanted to be an example to everyone which is still the case now that am a manager and i think Vipers will be in position to help me achieve that.
“I can assure the fans that i will do the best in these three weeks that remain to the start of the league season promise that this team will be the best in both Uganda and Africa.
Espinosa’s last coaching role was at Juventus SC in Nicaragua. He also had a brief stint in Guatemala coupled by deferent roles in his native Mexico.
