Venda Football Club have parted ways with head coach Clinton Larsen by mutual consent and appointed Zimbabwean coach Kaitano Tembo as his replacement, on a two year contract.
Venda chairman Itani Munzhelele confirmed the changes during an interview on Phalaphala FM sports show.
Larsen’s departure comes after a difficult start to the Motsepe Foundation Championship season, with Venda losing four of their opening five league matches and collecting just one point from a draw.
Tembo, a Zimbabwean national, was set to take charge of the Zimbabwe Under-20 national team but has now opted to join Venda. He has also served as interim head coach of the Zimbabwe senior national team.
Tembo will be assisted by Fannie Mthethwa, with a Fitness Trainer on Tembo’s Technical team to be announced in due time.
The 56-year-old has extensive coaching experience in South Africa, having worked at SuperSport United, Sekhukhune United and Richards Bay. His longest spell came at SuperSport, where he recorded 55 wins, 42 draws and 38 defeats in 135 matches and guided the club to the 2019 MTN8 title.
At Sekhukhune, Tembo managed 12 league matches, winning two, drawing five and losing five.
Larsen was retained after guiding Venda to a ninth-place finish last season. His departure brings his tenure in Limpopo to an end, with Tembo now tasked with turning around the club’s fortunes.