The future of coach Tione Mhone at the just promoted Red Lions hangs in balance as both parties are disagreeing on status of his employment with the team.
Lions Team Manager, Mwai Tembo, alleged that Mhone turned down the club’s offer to continue coaching the team opting to proceed with his personal life.
“He is no longer interested in coaching Red Lions. He told us that he wants to concentrate on his personal life. As management we are working on the same to unveil a new coach and we will announce once we are done,” Tembo said.
In a separate interview, Mhone denied stepping down saying he reported the matter to National Coaches Association (NCA) for assistance.
“Management did not offer me what I wanted that is why I reported the matter to the coaches association to intervene. I have not resigned as alluded to by the Lions management,” Mhone said.
However, NCA General Secretary, Davie Mpima, said such is a common problem among coaches and their respective teams.
“The team’s management did not offer him [Mhone] a formal contract. After Mhone queried on the matter that’s when Lions’ management told him to write a resignation letter, which was not in order,” Mpima said.
Lions were relegated from the TNM Super League in 2018 before winning the 2019 Thumbs Up Southern Region Football Association Premier Division championship to return to the top flight league.