“Tomas Trucha is still the AFC Leopards head coach,” this was chairman Dan Shikanda’s response when asked whether the Czech coach had officially left the Den, nearly two months after his departure from the club was reported.Trucha was reportedly relieved of his duties in late November 2024 following a string of unwanted results in the FKF Premier League.His then-first assistant Fred Ambani was elevated to fill in his shoes albeit on an interim basis with Kenneth Wendo deputizing the former Kenya international.##NAJAVA_MECA_8650042##Interestingly, Ingwe have never put out a statement confirming either the resignation or termination of Trucha’s contract.On Thursday night, Leopards appeared to have bid the former Penang coach farewell in a post through their verified social media handles.##NAJAVA_MECA_8650042##However, Shikanda insists that the club has not finalized the divorce with the 53-year-old, whose current deal with the club expires in July.What appeared more interesting is the fact that Shikanda maintained that Trucha was still Leopards’ head coach despite him not fulfilling his core mandate and responsibilities.Gor Mahia identify 5 positions that need strengthening in mid-season transfer windowTrucha has not been conducting training sessions or manning the touchline during league matches since his sacking was widely reported; yet, according to Shikanda, he continues to receive payments.“He remains the head coach until we finalize the process of parting ways. We have previously made errors or rushed to terminate contracts with our players or coaches, and ended up paying for it dearly. We do not want to be reported to FIFA again, as it is not easy to win a contract termination case at the Disputes Resolution Chambers. Regardless of the terms stipulated in the contract, FIFA recognizes just three valid ways of contract termination and poor results is not one of them,” said Shikanda.It is not clear whether the club might have overlooked the significance of a termination clause while drawing up Trucha’s contract to avoid being held at ransom.Unsettled Ksh465 million-rated Harambee Stars midfielder misses Europa League actionDespite the uncertainty surrounding the status and future of the former Township Rollers coach at Leopards, Shikanda says the club is in the final stage of clearing with him.“We have agreed on mutual termination of the contract which is one of the ways of separation okayed by FIFA. Once the process is completed, we will announce it to our members, fans, and the public in general. We will also look into Ambani’s terms or hire another head coach,” he added.
