Vipers Sports Club has fired head coach Denis Lavagne after a disappointing start to the season. In a brief club statement, the club confirmed the departure of the French tactician.
“Vipers Sports Club informs its stakeholders and general public that it has by mutual consent ended its contractual relationship with Mr. Denis Lavagne (Head Coach) effective October 24th, 2026.
The club would like to thank Lavagne for his services during his stay at the Venoms family and wishes him the best in his career development,” the precise statement read.
Lavagne was signed on a two-year contract on June 30, 2026, replacing Ivan Jacky Minnaert.
Lavagne took charge of the Venoms with a packed schedule and clearly defined objectives.
The Venoms have the little matter of defending their Uganda Premier League crown, challenging for the Stanbic Uganda Cup, CECAFA Kagame Cup and mounting another ambitious campaign in the CAF Champions League, where the club continued its pursuit of continental success.
The termination decision follows a tough start to the season, including an early exit from the CAF Champions League (failing to reach the second preliminary round) and inconsistent domestic form in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League and failure to secure CECAFA Kagame cup title.
The Uganda premier league champions were held to a barren stalemate at home by Police on Friday, a result that left the devastated club president Dr. Lawrence Mulindwa in the seat for minutes after the game.
The Venoms are distant 5th on the table with11 points after 6 games, 8 points away from leaders BUL FC that have played a game more.
They have won three games, drawn twice and lost once – scoring 13 and conceding twice only.
The Kitende side is yet to name the new coach but John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda is likely to be elevated from the assistant role to take charge on the interim basis.
Belgian performance specialist Salmi Yassine, who joined the Venoms as Head of Performance & Fitness Coach with an aim of bringing modern sports science and elite conditioning expertise to the club is also believed to be on the way out.
