Tanzania Premier League moneybags Azam FC have moved to draft another familiar face into their dugout following the decision to part with Abdi Hamid Moallin.
Moallin’s six month reign came to an end following Azam’s 1-1 draw to Geita Gold on August 22, with the Somali coach failing to convince.
Azam have turned to the experienced Frenchman in an effort to steady their ship, with Lavagne returning to Africa months after parting ways with Algerian side USM Alger.
“We are happy to inform you that we have reached an agreement with Denis Lavagne, to be our Head Coach,” read the c;ub statemenr.
“The French coach, with a high profile, with a high coaching license (UEFA Pro Licence), is coming to take the reins of Abdihamid Moallin.
“Lavagne expects to land in the country tomorrow, Tuesday, ready to officially begin his duties.”
The 58-year-old coach, Lavagne comes with an impressive CV having taken Coton Sport of Cameroon to the African Champions League final and also coaching the Indomitable Lions in 2011 and 2012.
He has also worked for Qatar‚ China‚ Egypt‚ Morocco,South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia‚ where he was in charge of Etoile Sahel.
Lavagne began his coaching career in his early 20s as an assistant in the French second division before getting his break in Cameroon‚ where he spent four seasons with Coton Sport in the provincial town of Garoua.
They won four championships and three cups and got to the final of the Champions League in 2008‚ losing to Al Ahly of Egypt in the decider.
On the basis of his achievements at club level‚ Lavagne took over the Indomitable Lions in 2011 but was shown the door after their shock elimination in the African Nations Cup qualifiers in a shock defeat to the tiny Cape Verde Islands.
He won the cup in Tunisia with Etoile Sahel in 2013 and last worked at Algeria’s USM Alger up until the end of the season last month.
