Ivan Minnaert’s time at Vipers SC ended the same way it began with expectation. Yet despite delivering the Uganda Premier League title, the Belgian coach has left the club after just one season.
Vipers confirmed on Sunday that they had mutually parted ways with Minnaert following the expiry of his contract, ending a campaign that produced silverware but also raised questions about the team’s direction.
Minnaert joined the Venoms in July 2025 after guiding Liberian side Fassell FC to a league title. He arrived with a strong reputation built across Africa and quickly delivered results at Kitende.
Under his leadership, Vipers won their eighth Uganda Premier League crown and went unbeaten on the field throughout the league season. Their only official defeat came through a boardroom ruling that awarded points to Kitara FC after a fixture dispute.
The numbers paint the picture of a successful season. In 40 matches across all competitions, Minnaert won 25, drew 13 and lost only two. His performances earned him the 2025/26 Uganda Premier League Coach of the Season award.
However, football at Vipers is measured by more than league results. The club’s biggest target was success on the continent, but that ambition suffered an early setback when Vipers were eliminated by Zambia’s Power Dynamos in the first round of the CAF Champions League, losing 3-2 on aggregate.
The Venoms also missed out on a domestic double after falling to Kitara FC in the Uganda Cup semi-finals on the away-goals rule.
Beyond the results, many supporters were unconvinced by the team’s style of play. While Vipers remained difficult to beat, critics felt the football was too cautious and lacked the attacking flair expected from a side with some of the league’s best talent.
Those concerns ultimately overshadowed the title triumph. For most coaches, winning the league and losing only two matches all season would guarantee a contract extension. At Vipers, where expectations stretch beyond domestic success, it was not enough.
Minnaert leaves with an impressive record and a league winners’ medal. He delivered the club’s eighth title and maintained one of the strongest unbeaten runs in recent memory.
But his departure also highlights the standards at Vipers, where trophies alone do not always determine a coach’s future.
