Czech coach Tomas Trucha has arrived in the country ready to turn around the fortunes of struggling Kenyan Premier League giants AFC Leopards.
He replaces beleaguered Tom Juma, who was fired barely three months into the job.
A statement by Gilbert Andungu, the club's secretary general, confirming Trucha's appointment coincided with his arrival.
"AFC Leopards are pleased to announce the appointment of Tomas Trucha as head coach for two football seasons (2023/2024 and 2024/2025)," the statement read in part.
Trucha is a UEFA Pro license holder. He was, until recently, head coach of Kelantan United in Malaysia.
This will be his second stint at AFC Leopards SC after breifly taking charge in 2020.
He will be deputised by former Kenyan international Fred Ambani, who was acquired at the beginning of the season.
Andungu also announced four other changes to the technical bench.
Retired midfield maestro, Bernard Mang'oli, who once served as skipper has returned to the club as team manager. He takes over the reins from Albert Wesonga, who has been elevated to the role of Chief Executive Officer.
Haggai Azande has been brought in from top-flight rivals Sofapaka to replace long-serving goalkeeper trainer Lawrence Webo, whose head also rolled.
Ingwe slammed the door on the pair of Juma and Webo after a disastrous start to the season. Their departure comes barely weeks after a ballooning chorus calling for an overhaul of the technical bench hit a crescendo.
Leopards' unforgivable 2-0 defeat at the hands of arch-rivals Gor Mahia in the Mashemeji derby at Moi Stadium, Kasarani a week ago proved to be the final nail in their casket.
The loss left the felines dangling precariously in the red zone of the KPL log — second from bottom with a paltry four points from six rounds.
The club's torrid run includes a 1-0 loss to KCB. They shared spoils with FC Talanta in a barren draw before registering a similar outcome against league minnows Muhoroni Youth.
A two-all draw against Kenya Police and another one-all draw against Shabana merely served to expose Juma's underbelly. Juma was handed the hot seat after outspoken Belgian tactician Patrick Aussems left the club in a huff in July, citing unpaid dues totaling Sh11 million.
Trucha's first assignment will be against another troubled side, Bandari FC at Mbaraki Sports Club, Mombasa on October 22.
