Coach Robert Matano has left Tusker FC following the expiry of his six-year illustrious contract at Ruaraka.
Matano felt he had had enough after the management failed to approve his budget for the players of his choice.
The no-nonsense gaffer who has courted success and controversy in equal measures had dared the club to sack him after he was given an ultimatum to save his job against champions Gor Mahia following his poor league start last season.
“I don't succumb to threats; I don't work with ultimatums; and I don't fear being sacked. What will they do if I decide to leave before the match?” Matano roared at club CEO Dennis Nzau.
The brewers went ahead to fall 1-0 to K'Ogallo on October 22, 2023, extending their poor run to three defeats, two wins and two draws out of seven. Nzau, however, never touched Matano who went ahead to finish second on the log —eight points behind Gor Mahia.
'The Lion' as he is known in football circles was in his second stint with the brewers and leaves a legacy only closely rivalled by veteran coach Jacob “Ghost“Mulee.
Mulee claimed two Kenyan premier league titles in 2000 and 2007 in addition to the regional Cecafa tournament title in 2001.
Matano and Sammy "Pamzo" Omolo are the only local managers who have wrestled the top-flight title from serial winners Gor Mahia in the last 12 years, ensuring the KPL title was not a preserve of one team.
Matano grabbed the title under Gor’s nose in 2012, defending Pamzo's 2011 title, before adding the top 8 trophy to his accolades in 2013.
