StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have appointed experienced French coach Denis Lavagne as their new head coach on a two-year contract ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Lavagne takes over from Belgian coach Ivan Jacky Minnaert, who parted ways with the Venoms by mutual agreement after the conclusion of the 2025/26 campaign.
The 61-year-old arrives at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende with an impressive coaching career spanning almost 30 years. He has managed clubs and national teams across Europe, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, earning a reputation as one of the continent’s most experienced tacticians.
One of the highlights of his career came at Cameroonian powerhouse Coton Sport, where he won four Elite One league titles and three Cameroon Cups. He also guided the club to the 2008 CAF Champions League final, cementing his status as one of Africa’s accomplished coaches.
Lavagne has also served as head coach of the Cameroon national team and has managed several top clubs, including Étoile du Sahel, Al Hilal Omdurman, JS Kabylie, USM Alger and Tanzania’s Azam FC.
Vipers have retained John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda as assistant coach to work alongside the new manager. The club has also strengthened its technical bench with the appointment of Belgian performance expert Salmi Yassine as Head of Performance and Fitness.
Lavagne’s immediate priority will be to help Vipers defend their Uganda Premier League crown while mounting strong challenges for the Stanbic Uganda Cup and the CECAFA Kagame Cup. He will also be expected to lead the club’s campaign in the CAF Champions League as the Venoms seek to make a significant impact on the continental stage.
