Nairobi City Stars have announced that head coach Sanjin Alagic will leave the club after the expiration of his two year contract. The Bosnian tactician took charge of his last match on Saturday as City Stars played to a 1-1 draw with Gor Mahia at the Ruaraka Complex on Saturday.

According to the club’s Chief Executive Officer Patrick Korir, the tactician had asked for his contract not to be extended because of family reasons.

“He explained to us the reasons he would not be staying further than the two years he had signed for when he came in and as a club we understood. We really wanted to keep him because he has done incredibly well for us, but sometimes, family always comes first,” Korir said.

“As a club we are really happy with what he has done for the team. He helped us get back to the league and has put up a very professional structure at the club,” further added Korir.

Nairobi City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic

Alagic joined City Stars while they were still in the National Super League. He was brought in by the club’s new owners once they bought off the former Kawangware based club and has proved a masterstroke, aiding them to promotion for the first time in six years.

In the league, he has also seen the team perform well and they are currently placed seventh in the standings with 37 points, just three shy of the top five.

Team owner and chairman Jonathan Jackson was happy and proud of what the tactician has achieved at the club.

“As the chairman of Nairobi City Stars  want to appreciate Sanjin for what he has done to us and bringing a professional approach to our team. He has had a good engagement with the players and they have such a huge admiration for him. He has lifted us to a high level and I want to wish him the best for his future,” Jackson said.

The Bosnian, a quiet but ruthless figure on the touchline says he has achieved success at the club and notes he leaves with his head held high.

Aiding the team back to the league after six years and their superb performance in the top tier are some of the things Alagic goes back home with.

“I am really proud of what we have achieved this season. Many clubs that come into the Premier League from the second division usually fight relegation just to remain in the league. For us, when we came in we just wanted to be stable in the league and maybe a top 10 finish but now we have done even better,” the coach said.

Nairobi City Stars coach Sanjin Alagic shouts instructions during a past match

“This season we have made one amazing club which is one of the most organized and best clubs in the country. Everyone can be proud of that from me to the chairman, officials and the players. This team has a great future and I hope they continue like this,” the tactician stated.

Alagic would have wished to sign off with victory in his last game but saw his side’s 1-0 lead cut out for a 1-1 draw against defending champions Gor Mahia in Ruaraka.

But still, he says he was proud of how they performed.

“They gave their all and they dominated against Gor Mahia which is not an easy thing to do. We were leading 1-0 and even at 1-1 we had good opportunities to score but we did not make use of the chances. I feel sad that we didn’t take the opportunities we had and I feel we deserved more but I am happy with what the players gave on the pitch. They gave their all,” the coach added.

The club organized a farewell lunch for the tactician on Sunday where he bid his players, staff and management goodbye.

Meanwhile, City Stars has settled on their former captain John Amboko, who was Alagic’s assistant, to steer the club for the remaining eight games of the season. CEO Korir has told Sports Leo that they will settle the issue of whether or not to hire a new coach at the end of the season.

“For now the rest of the technical bench will continue with the work and hopefully we finish the season well,” Korir said.