Tomas Trucha’s tenure at AFC Leopards has been clouded with confusion and contradictory statements, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty around his future with the club. The saga took a new turn following the team’s 2-1 loss to Shabana on November 27, 2024, where a top AFC Leopards official revealed that the coach would no longer be in charge. According to the official, the club and Trucha had agreed to part ways by mutual consent, leaving many to believe that his time with the team had come to an end.
This declaration, however, was quickly followed by a series of confusing statements from the coach himself, who denied the claims of a contract termination. In an interview, Trucha maintained that he was still contracted to AFC Leopards, casting doubt on the official statement. His absence from the touchline during the team’s subsequent match against Kenya Police where assistant coach Fred Ambani led the team to a 1-0 victory only added to the confusion. Trucha’s non-appearance raised questions, with some speculating that he was in the process of negotiating his exit.
When asked about his absence, Trucha admitted that there were ongoing procedures related to his situation, but stopped short of offering a clear explanation. His remark that “it is a procedure” left more questions than answers, particularly as he emphasized that he was still under contract with the club. This contradictory stance has led to a growing sense of mystery surrounding his status, as fans and media alike are left guessing whether his departure is imminent or if he is simply going through bureaucratic processes.
Behind the scenes, it is suggested that Trucha has been actively pursuing an amicable exit from the club. Sources close to the situation have indicated that while he has not been officially fired, Trucha is effectively stepping down from his role. His decision to leave appears to be voluntary, although no formal announcement has been made. The club has entrusted Fred Ambani with the responsibility of managing the team for the time being, with no indication of when a permanent solution will be found.
Trucha’s time at AFC Leopards has been marked by inconsistency on the field, and his position as head coach has been under constant scrutiny throughout the season. The team’s performance, which began with a 4-0 victory over Mathare United, soon took a downward turn. A series of disappointing results, including losses to teams like Posta Rangers, Murang’a Seal, and Shabana, placed mounting pressure on the coach to step down. The loss to Shabana, in particular, is widely seen as the breaking point, with many believing that it signaled the end of his tenure at the club.
Despite the growing pressure and the club’s apparent readiness to part ways with him, Trucha has held firm in his assertion that he remains under contract. This stance has led to a tangled web of conflicting statements, with AFC Leopards’ officials and the coach offering different perspectives on the situation. While it seems clear that Trucha’s position is untenable, the official announcement of his departure remains elusive.
The uncertainty surrounding Trucha’s future at AFC Leopards has left the club in a precarious situation as it heads into the final stretch of the season. With the team continuing to underperform, the leadership must now find a way to resolve the coaching dilemma and restore stability to the squad. The club’s board faces a delicate balancing act in navigating the tensions surrounding Trucha’s role, with a clear decision needed soon to prevent further distractions and uncertainty.
The ongoing saga highlights the challenges faced by AFC Leopards in managing both internal and external expectations. The club, one of Kenya’s biggest and most storied football institutions, finds itself at a crossroads, with the coach’s future and the team’s performance hanging in the balance. Whether Trucha’s departure is finalized or if he will continue under contract, the next steps in this saga are sure to shape the direction of the club in the coming months.
