Stojanovic pens emotional farewell to Villa faithful

SC Villa’s StarTimes Uganda Premier League winning coach, Dusan Stojanovic, says he will remain a Blue forever after he and the club mutually ended their partnership at the weekend. 

The 17-time record extending national champions confirmed on Saturday they had agreed to part ways with their Serbian coach but were not specific about the reason for the separation.

“Dusan leaves with our sincerest appreciation for steering the Club through a very tough season to its 17th League Champions,” read the statement from Villa.

That 17th league title was SC Villa’s first in 20 years, making Stojanovic – who only joined the side last year – the second Serbian to win with the Blues after former Uganda Cranes coach, Micho Sredojevic, in early 2000s.  

Villa have also confirmed that Stojanovic’s hitherto assistant, Morley Byekwaso, will now serve as the head coach in an interim capacity.

A day after Villa announced the parting of ways, the soft-spoken Stojanovic released a lengthy emotional message to the Blues family, in which he thanked all involved and pledged to remain the club’s fan forever. 

“Since my arrival into (the) SC Villa family in June 2023,”wrote Stojanovic, “my blood has turned blue.

“I started living my life for our team, committed to be a club servant and dedicated to be a team soldier in order to return a sense of pride to the Villa badge, returning to the top of Ugandan football as well as to put a smile on the faces of all those that support SC Villa.”

Stojanovic added: “During that roller coaster journey, I had the honour and privilege to get to know Ugandan culture, traditional style of life, habits as well as the beauty of the game of football in Uganda.

“With (an) extreme level of hardworking approach, garnished with unity and togetherness like in action thriller movies against top class opposition of other teams, we were winning Uganda premier league trophy that has been elusive for 20 years.”

The Serb went ahead to explain his decision after winning the club’s 17th league title.

“However, led by personal challenges I am returning back home to Belgrade, Serbia and would like to use the opportunity to express my wholehearted gratitude and sincere respect to all great people I have worked with, and furthermore people I have competed against during my 14 months in Uganda.

“Sincere appreciation to management of SC Villa led by President Hajji Omar Ahmed Mandela for all practical and declarative support they have given to me throughout my stay under whose guidance I grew as a human being and football coach.

“Words could not express enough gratitude to all SC Villa players I have worked with during my time as I have given my all-human capacity and technical knowledge, giving them my heart and my mind and in the process taking their souls and bodies for the game of football and our Villa team.

“It was a special privilege to be their elder brother, life guide and football coach as they will stay forever engraved in my heart.

“As I close my SC Villa chapter, I will forever remain kindly, yours in love for the football game and authentic respect for SC Villa, staying a Jogoo forever.”