Cranes coach Bobby sacked

Today is Monday, April 8 2013 and it’s no Fools Day. And yes, Bobby Williamson’s four years and eight months career as Uganda Cranes coach have finally come to an end.
Fufa issued a notice of termination of contract to the Scot dated Monday 8, 2013 but Bobby has confirmed his sacking to Daily Monitor in a text message. “Yes I have been sacked,” reads the text.
The text, therefore, renders Fufa’s notice just rhetoric. Fufa’s notice reads. “The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (Fufa) hereby informs the public that a notice of termination of contract has this morning Monday 8th April 2013 has been given to the Cranes head coach Mr Roberts ‘Bobby’ Williamson. “The emergency committee of Fufa sitting today took the decision of notice in compliance with the contract of employment and other relevant labour laws of Uganda including the Employment Act.”
Fufa publicist, Rogers Mulindwa, while releasing the statement at Fufa House said matters pertaining who is in charge now or who will take over will be discussed in an executive sitting. He was non-committal on when it convenes.
The federation’s decision comes on the back of Uganda’s 2-0 defeat to Liberia which loss left the Cranes at the bottom of Group J of the 2014 Brazil World Cup qualifiers with just two points from three games.
The 51-year-old took over Cranes reigns in July 2008 replacing László Csaba, the Romanian-born Hungarian having moved to Scottish side Hearts.
Bobby won four Cecafas during his stay but has failed to take the Cranes to the Nations Cup in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

Bobby Williamson sacked

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The curtains have come down on the Scot who took over as Cranes head coach in 2008.

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KAMPALA - Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson has been relieved of his duties as the coach of the national football team, the Cranes. 

Williamson who took the reins in August 2008 from Hungarian Laszlo Czaba in the middle of the Nations cup qualification campaign, has paid the price for failing to guide Uganda through various qualification campaigns for Africa’s top soccer showpiece. 

The Scot had come under increasing pressure after failing to qualify for AFCON 2013 at the expense of defending champions Zambia and last month’s crushing 2-0 defeat away to Liberia which left the Cranes with an uphill task to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

FUFA spokesman Rogers Mulindwa made the dramatic announcement during the weekly press briefing at the federation’s headquarters in Mengo.

“The Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) hereby informs the general public that a notice of termination of contract has this Monday 8th April 2013 been given to the Cranes head Coach Mr. Roberts ‘Bobby’ Williamson,” read the statement from the governing body.

FUFA spokesperson Rogers Mulindwa delivers news of Williamson's sacking during the brief address.

“The Emergency Committee of FUFA sitting today took the decision of notice in compliance with the contract of employment and other relevant labour laws.” 

Williamson’s contract whose details were shrouded in secrecy, still had 17 months to run.

Mulindwa however remained tight-lipped on when Williamson’s successor would be named or who it would be when fielding questions from the media.

“The technical committee will sit in due time to decide who will take over,” was all Mulindwa said before ending what was a very brief press conference. 

Despite failing to deliver Uganda to the promised land of AFCON qualification, Williamson departs having won the CECAFA Cup four times, a record for a coach, in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Uganda was ranked 96th in the world by FIFA when Williamson took over and he guided the Cranes to their highest ever ranking when they peaked at 63rd position in September 2010. He now leaves Uganda ranked 85th in the world and 22nd in Africa.

The 2012 CECAFA triumph has been the only bright spot of Williamson's final 6 months of his tenure. In February, Williamson was forced to deny he had applied for the vacant Kenya job.