Chimodzi retiring

TNM Super League side Silver Strikers are in search for a new head coach to replace veteran Young Chimodzi, who is retiring at the end of the season.

The club placed an advert in the print media on Monday alongside that of newly-created positions of chief executive officer and marketing and corporate communications officer.

The Central Bankers confirmed that Chimodzi would be bowing out at the end of the season after long spells as player, coach and technical director.

Silver board chairperson Chiku Kalilombe, in an interview, paid tribute to the former Malawi national team defender and accorded him a legendary status.

“Chimodzi is retiring. He is a great legend for the club both as a player and a coach… He has, at times, come in to assist when the team was in problems and made significant changes that have been positive,” he said.

The board chairperson has, meanwhile, said the club will continue to tap from his wisdom.

“We will always value his contribution and trust he will continue in some way to play a role at Silver,” he said.

Chimodzi will leave the club after winning a couple of trophies. This season, he guided the club to  the Airtel Top 8 Trophy. However, the team has been struggling in the league as it is already out of the title contest.

In an interview, Chimodzi said it was time to pave the way for new blood to lead the technical team after a long stay.

He said he was proud to have helped the Central Bankers win trophies and also nurture talent.

“It was an amazing journey, but everything must have an end. What I am proud of is that most times I managed to build the team from the scratch and later win titles,” the former national team coach said.

Chimodzi did not rule out playing football roles in future while insisting that “at the moment, I just want to rest.”

He was first hired as coach in 1985 when he was still an active player for both Silver and national team. Since then he has had on-and-off stints with the Central Bankers

Among others, Silver want their new head coach to have a CAF A coaching licence with “strong management, organisational, motivational and strategising skills.”

Meanwhile, Kalilombe has said the club has begun implementation of its commercialisation agenda; hence, recruitment of permanent staff.

“The team will be run as a professional outfit with people in full time jobs and answerable for targets. This is the common trend for developed teams worldwide,” he said.