Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have brought an end to Ivan Jacky Minnaertโs tenure at the club, despite the Belgian guiding the Venoms to league glory last season.
The Kitende-based outfit has opted against extending its working relationship with the experienced tactician, who arrived ahead of the 2025/26 campaign and successfully steered the club to a record-equalling eighth league crown.
Minnaertโs departure comes only weeks after he delivered domestic success, making his exit one of the more surprising developments of the off-season. His appointment last year marked another chapter in Vipersโ long history of hiring foreign coaches, becoming the ninth expatriate manager to take charge of the club.
Vipers SC can confirm Ivan Minnaert has departed his role as head coach.
He leaves with a Uganda Premier League title to his name and our deepest gratitude and appreciation.
Link โก๏ธ https://t.co/Z43GpwX3hZ#VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/VU1xUU8xOu
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) June 7, 2026
The Belgian arrived in Uganda with a strong reputation built across several African leagues. Prior to joining Vipers, he was in charge of Liberian giants Fassell FC, where he masterminded a championship-winning campaign during the 2024/25 season.
His coaching rรฉsumรฉ also includes a successful spell in Libya with Al-Ittihad Tripoli, whom he led to the national league title in the 2020/21 campaign.
Over the years, Minnaert has accumulated vast experience across both Africa and Europe. He has held managerial roles at Spanish clubs Union Estepona CF and CD San Roque, while also spending time with Malian powerhouse Djoliba AC, Kenyan side AFC Leopards, and Rwandan outfit Rayon Sports, where he served during two different stints.
His journey on the continent further took him to Guinea with AS Kaloum Star, Rwandaโs Mukura Victory Sports, and South African club Black Leopards, establishing him as one of the most widely travelled coaches working in African football.
Coach Ivan Minnaert has been voted the Coach of the 2025/26 Uganda Premier League season!
Congratulations, Gaffer! ๐๐ฟ #VenomsUpdates || #OneTeamOneDream || pic.twitter.com/lEaFoQ1SOY
โ ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ (@VipersSC) May 29, 2026
With Minnaert now out of the picture, attention turns to who will occupy the Vipers dugout next season as the club prepares to defend its league title and compete on multiple fronts.
Notably, several foreign coaches before Minnaert struggled to leave a lasting mark at Kitende. Among them were Nigerian Ambrose Duru Chukuma, Kenyan Michael Nam Ouma, Mexican Javier Martinez Espinosa, Brazilian Leonard Martins Neiva, Brazilian-Spaniard Roberto Luiz Bianchi Pelliser, and Serbian Nikola Kavazovic, all of whom failed to guide the club to major success during their respective spells.
Vipers are now expected to intensify their search for a new head coach as preparations for the upcoming campaign gather momentum.
