Belgian Paul Put named new Cranes coach
Local football governing body, FUFA has named Belgian national Paul Put as the new coach for the national football team, Cranes.
“FUFA rolled out an application process and we got over 150 coaches including two Ugandans who applied for the job. After thorough analysis, the FUFA Executive zeroed down on Mr. Put Paul Joseph who we believe will do a good job,” FUFA president Moses Magogo said during the unveiling ceremony at FUFA House in Mengo.
“Coach Paul Put helped Burkina Faso reach the final of Afcon in 2013, guided Guinea to a quarterfinal finish and also helped Gambia to qualify for Afcon. With such a CV, we believe the coach will do a good job here,” Magogo said.
The 67-year-old signed a two-year contract with FUFA to replace Serbian national, Milutin Micho Sredjovic who was sacked in September following a dismal performance that saw Uganda miss out on qualifying for next year’s AFCON finals.
Put has previously coached Kenya, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Guinea and Congo Brazzaville.
Technical team
To work alongside Paul Put is Sam Ssimbwa as the assistant coach, Sven De Wilde as performance manager, Mathieu Denis as the physical fitness coach, Gery Osste (Goalkeeping Coach), Martin Michiel (Physiotherapist) and Jelle Sevenhant as the video analyst.
Magogo said unlike the previous times when the federation appointed the backroom staff, this time, the coach has been given the greenlight to appoint his technical staff.
“This time, we have allowed the coach to appoint his own backroom staff and he is already coming with five other people from Belgium. However, there will be Ugandans who will work as part of the backroom staff in the areas of medical, coaching and management,” Magogo said.
Commenting about his appointment, Put said he was happy to have been chosen among the many.
“I want to thank FUFA for the trust and confidence in giving me this job. I believe my knowledge about African football will help me to do a good job with the Uganda Cranes,” Put said.
“I have been following the Uganda Cranes especially the recent AFCON Qualifier match against Niger and the two friendly games against Mali and Zambia. Give me time, give me the confidence. You will see a different national team.”
The new team will begin their job with two important FIFA World Cup qualifier games against Guinea and Somalia on November 17 and 21 respectively.
