Ethiopian Coffee FC hires first foreign coach
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – Ethiopian Coffee FC, which finished sixth placed in last season’s Ethiopian Premier League (EPL), have announced the appointment of Serbian Dragan Popadic as their new coach.
Dragan Popadic, 69, was unveiled as Coffee’s new coach on Wednesday at Ethiopia Hotel. The Serbian is given a one year contract to manage Ethiopia Coffee but the club declined to disclose the financial side of the deal.
The contract is subject to renewal depending on the coach’s performance, according to Gezahegn Wolde, Ethiopia Coffee general manager.
This is the first time for Ethiopia Coffee to appoint a foreign coach in the club’s 40 years history.
“We wanted to focus on the modern style of coaching currently applied all over the world and this is the reason behind appointing a coach from abroad,” Gezahegn told reporters during the unveiling ceremony.
Born in Belgrade, played his footballing career in defensive position. He has a vast knowledge in African Football managing several clubs in Africa including in countries like Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Angola and Ghana.
Among his achievements are the Council for East and Central Africa Football Association (CECAFA) cup winner with Tanzanian side Simba SC, won the Ugandan Super League title with Express Kampala, National Cup Angola winner with Petro Atletico Luanda.
Ethiopia Coffee sacked Tilahun Mengesha in April – a month ahead of the conclusion of the EPL season. Under the guidance assistance coach Anwar Yasin, Coffee finished the season at a disappointing sixth place collecting 36 points from 26 matches.
Source: The Reporter
