Vipers Part Ways With Denis Lavagne After Just Four Months as Head Coach

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Reigning StarTimes Uganda Premier League champions Vipers SC have parted ways with French head coach Denis Lavagne, just four months after his appointment at St Mary’s Stadium, Kitende.

The club confirmed the development in a statement released on Saturday, October 24, 2026, saying the decision to end his contract was reached by mutual consent.
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“Vipers Sports Club informs its stakeholders and general public that it has by mutual consent ended its contractual relationship with Mr. Denis Lavagne (Head Coach), effective October 24th, 2026,” the statement read.​

Vipers thanked Lavagne for his services and wished him well in his future career.

The 61-year-old was appointed in June 2026 on a two-year contract, replacing Belgian tactician Ivan Jacky Minnaert, who left the club by mutual agreement after guiding the Venoms to the 2025–26 league title.

Lavagne arrived with extensive experience in African football, having coached clubs including Coton Sport, JS Kabylie, Étoile du Sahel, Al-Hilal Omdurman, USM Alger, CS Constantine and Tanzania’s Azam FC. At Coton Sport, he won four Cameroonian league titles and three Cameroon Cups, while also guiding JS Kabylie to the 2021 CAF Confederation Cup final.

His short spell at Kitende was marked by early-season setbacks, including Vipers’ elimination from the CAF Champions League in September, as the club sought to defend its domestic titles and make an impact in continental competitions.

Vipers are now expected to seek a new head coach as they continue their 2026–27 campaign.​