Vipers SC Appoint Denis Lavagne as New Head Coach on Two-Year Deal
StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have named French tactician Denis Lavagne as Head Coach on a two-year contract, as the Venoms target domestic dominance and a deeper CAF Champions League run.
The 61-year-old replaces Belgian Ivan Jacky Minnaert, who left by mutual consent at the end of the 2025/26 season. Lavagne will take charge at St. Mary’s Stadium, Kitende, with immediate effect.
Lavagne brings nearly three decades of experience across Europe, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East. He is best known for two spells at Cameroonian giants Coton Sport, where he won four Elite One titles, three Cameroon Cups, and reached the 2008 CAF Champions League final.
His CV also includes stints as Cameroon National Team head coach, plus clubs such as Étoile du Sahel, Al Ittihad Alexandria, Smouha SC, MAS Fez, Free State Stars, Al-Hilal Omdurman, CS Constantine, JS Kabylie, USM Alger, Azam FC, and teams in Saudi Arabia.
He is recognized for building disciplined, competitive sides that consistently challenge for trophies and perform in CAF competitions.
Lavagne will work alongside John ‘Ayala’ Luyinda, who remains First Team Assistant Coach to provide local expertise. Belgian performance specialist Salmi Yassine joins as Head of Performance and Fitness, tasked with introducing modern sports science and elite conditioning.
The trio will start preparations for the new season right away.
Lavagne inherits a packed fixture list. Vipers will defend their Uganda Premier League title, chase the Stanbic Uganda Cup, compete in the CECAFA Kagame Cup, and mount another ambitious CAF Champions League campaign.
The appointment signals Vipers’ intent to raise standards on and off the pitch and build one of East Africa’s strongest technical teams.