Fiery coach Robert Matano lifts the lid, explains why he left Tusker FC

 Robert Matano, the immediate former head coach of Tusker FC has lifted the lid over his exit from the 13-time Kenyan Premier League champions.

 Matano's exit brought to an end a six-year stay at the Ruaraka-based club, where he won three titles including back-to-back Premier League titles in 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and a Kenyan Super Cup in 2021-22.

This was his second stint after leading Tusker to Premier League glory in 2012, setting the record of the first coach to lift three League titles with Tusker, breaking the record that was set by Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee, who had won two, in 2000 and 2007 seasons.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, ‘The Lion’, as he is fondly known, said he quit his position because he felt he had done a lot for the club and hence needed a new challenge.

‘I left because my contract expired. Again, despite that, I felt I have done a lot for Tusker and it was time to exit and seek another challenge. I have no regrets because I have given my best and what was within my capacity,’ said Matano.

‘I thank the management for giving me an opportunity to work with them for the second time. In this time, I have won the League with them thrice, Kenyan Super Cup and Top 8 Cup. Generally, I am a very proud man. I made Tusker a title contender every season,’ he added.

Matano describes the previous three seasons as the hardest but says he used his experience to circumvent the challenges to finish as runners-up to eventual winners Gor Mahia FC.

‘We have had a lot of challenges for the last three seasons. The management has been investing in one area which is paying players’ salaries but ignored other areas which I am not ready to mention publicly but a lot was happening behind the scenes.

He added: ‘I believe had we been supported in all areas, we would have lifted the league last season and then just concluded on. I pray they work on these shortcomings for my successor to succeed for I am leaving behind a stable team.”

He did not share the managerial plans he’s having, adding that if an offer comes his way he will definitely grab and continue plying his trade. It’s not clear if his departure triggered the massive departure of players who have described him as a ‘father figure’ coach.

Though, sources privy to the club affairs intimated to Citizen Digital that Matano, whose contract had expired at the end of last season, was ready to extend his stay until the club CEO Sam Nzau declined to approve the list of players he wanted signed ahead of the new season.

It was thought he was bound to join Bandari FC until the dockers unveiled former Kenyan international and Harambee Stars assistant coach Ken Odhiambo who took over from John Barasa who was relegated to the position of assistant coach.

Besides Tusker FC, in his managerial career he has had stints with World Hope [now renamed Nairobi City Stars], AFC Leopards, Sofapaka and Ulinzi Stars. Lifting four League titles while winning individual accolades such as Coach of the Year in 2009 and 2020-21, is no mean task and “The Lion” walks away from Ruaraka, a proud tactician.