Veteran coach Patrick ‘Big Pa’ Phiri has ditched super division side Forest Rangers to join relegated Lusaka Dynamos.
Big Pa, joined Forest Rangers around the 8th week of the season with Ndola side in a dismal second from bottom position but managed to help turn around their fortunes to end 9th on the log.
“Mr Patrick Phiri tendered in his resignation letter to my office this morning, (yesterday) indicating family reasons as basis for his decision,” club chairman Benhail Mukuka stated.
“He has since joined Lusaka Dynamos Football Club,” he said.
Phiri has recently been involved with Nakambala Leopards, Nkana and Napsa Stars apart from having a stint in Tanzania.
Lusaka Dynamos who have also been reported to have engaged former Kabwe Warriors mentor Mohamed Fathy in a technical capacity are hoping to sneak back into the elite league if the proposal by the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to increase the teams in the league from 18 to 20 is passed at the council.
Former Lusaka Dynamos coach Perry Mutapa who was assistant to Phiri takes over as coach at Forest.
In transfer news, Forest have released former Power Dynamos striker Graven Chitalu, goalkeeper Makasa Mufwaya and former captain Joseph Kamolondo.
The club has also confirmed the sale of Innocent Mwaba to Nkana FC for a fee of K40,000.00.
For me he is one of the best local coaches ever produced in Zambia. That said I do get a little worried when a really good coach becomes a journey man.
In my personal point of view I consider him to be the best coach in Zambia.Patrick Phiri is better experienced than Wedson Nyirenda and if he can work hand in hand with Wedson then Zambia can once again become a formidable force to reckon with in Africa.
He has been indeed a journey man lately. We expevt him at least to build a team n probably win a troohy with that team but on the contraly the man is moving from one club to another though helping relageted tbreating teams.
With his Patriarchal stature and experience, Patrick should be given to develop the U17 or U20 national Teams.
Patrick Phiri is indeed the best coach in Zambia. FAZ must let ba Phiri be incharge of youth development. The man is very knowledgeable as far as football is concerned. Personally i cant compare Phiri Patrick to Lwandamina or Nyirenda.
Good move
We need you Sir, from where we produced you – Nkana! Football is made in Kitwe in Zambia!