Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

Patrick Aussems has announced that he will not renew his contract with AFC Leopards, citing personal and private reasons.

Speculation had been rife about Aussems’ future with the club, with reports indicating that Leopards owed him money and that he had demanded payment before committing to a contract renewal. Aussems’ decision brings an end to his successful tenure with the club.

Patrick Aussems announcement

“For personal and private reasons l won’t be able to renew my contract with AFC Leopards! Thanks to my players, my staff, the incredible fans for the last 2 years! I wish Ingwe all the best! Asante sana,” Aussems said in a statement on his official twitter.

During his time at AFC Leopards, the club could not register players severally due to transfer bans. Aussems led the team to a seventh-place finish in the current season, while last season they had a sixth-place finish. In the 2020/21 season, the team achieved a fourth-place finish.

Aussems received praise for instilling an attractive style of play and transforming the way Leopards approached the game.

Prior to his stint at AFC Leopards, Aussems had an illustrious coaching career with various clubs and national teams around the world.

Holding coaching qualifications, he coached teams such as The Capricorn in Reunion and Beaucaire in France.

He also served as the coach of the professional team of the Kadji Sport Academy in Cameroon before joining the professional staff of SCO Angers.

In 2006, Aussems became the Technical Director of CIFAS Benin in Cotonou and later assumed the role of the National Technical Director of the Benin Football Federation and national coach in 2007.

Under his guidance, Benin participated in three successive African Cup of Nations tournaments, a remarkable achievement for the small West African nation.

In 2009, Aussems took on the role of coach at Évian Thonon Gaillard Football Club in France, leading the team to become the National champion and securing promotions to Ligue 2 and subsequently Ligue 1.

He then embarked on coaching assignments in China, first with Shenzhen Ruby FC in the Chinese Super League and later with FC Chengdu Blades in China League One.

In 2014, Aussems joined AC Leopard Dolisie in Congo-Brazzaville, where he guided the team to the Congo league title with an impressive record of 13 points ahead, no losses, and only one goal conceded.

He also steered AC Leopard to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup 2014. Aussems later had a short stint with AL Hilal in Sudan before joining Simba S.C. in Tanzania in 2018.

Aussems at Simba

At Simba S.C., Aussems aimed to elevate the team to become one of the top five clubs in Africa. He led them to the league title in the 2018/19 season and guided them to the quarter-finals of the African Champions League, narrowly losing to TP Mazembe.

AFC Leopards confirmed Aussems’ appointment as head coach in February 2021, and his departure will undoubtedly leave a void within the club.

The management will now be tasked with finding a suitable replacement who can build upon Aussems’ achievements and continue the team’s progress.