Venda Football Club and head coach Clinton Larsen have parted ways by mutual consent following the club’s disappointing start to the season, FARPost has established.
The Motsepe Foundation Championship side is expected to formally announce the decision soon, ending Larsen’s tenure in Limpopo.
Larsen’s departure follows a difficult opening to the campaign, with results falling short of the club’s expectations. Venda have lost four of five of their league games so far, only picking one point from a draw.
The two parties then discussed the team’s direction before agreeing that a separation was in their best interests. Information reaching this publication indicates that the relevant processes have been concluded.
VENDA SEARCH FOR LARSEN REPLACEMENT
Larsen was retained after guiding Venda to a ninth-place finish last season, eight points clear of the relegation zone. The club backed him to oversee a stronger campaign by adding 12 players to the squad.
The new arrivals included goalkeeper Bongani Mpandle, defenders Pfunzo Ramunasi, Shaun Morgan, Cameron Carnell, Cohan-Josh Daniels and Bonginkosi Makume and midfielders Donald Makgetlwa, Goodman Chirwa, Steven Goovadia and Tumi Tshabalala. Strikers Mashiku Muyeka and former Polokwane City FC forward Douglas Mapfumo were also recruited.
However, the overhaul has not produced the start Venda had hoped for, with the team’s early-season struggles placing increasing pressure on the technical staff.
Larsen arrived at the Limpopo club with an extensive record in South African football, having previously coached Bloemfontein Celtic, Golden Arrows, Chippa United, Polokwane City and Magesi FC.
The 55-year-old mentor led Magesi to promotion to the Betway Premiership before guiding the club to the 2024 Carling Knockout title. However, his tenure at Venda has ended prematurely after the two parties agreed to separate.
Venda will now begin searching for his replacement as the club attempts to revive its campaign and move away from the wrong end of the table. An interim technical-team arrangement is expected to be confirmed when Larsen’s departure is formally announced.
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