Kwoon Chung Southern lift Sapling Cup – then immediately announce change of boss
- Club’s chairman says he will bring in new head coach despite Southern winning their first top-tier trophy under incumbent Ricky Cheng
- Stefan Pereira savours moment of redemption after his goals fire Southern to victory over Lee Man two weeks after they threw away third place in league
He had already been mobbed and thrown into the air by his ecstatic players following the final whistle at Mong Kok Stadium, but it emerged that it was partly to say farewell after the club’s decision to bring in a new boss, even before it bagged its long-coveted first silverware of note.
His chairman Chan Man-chun revealed that discussions before the final had determined Cheng would move into another post. He said Cheng was not being demoted and was happy with the reshuffle.
“There will be some new faces to fill gaps where we had problems on the field, and there will also be changes in the coaching capacity,” Chan said.
“We are very pleased with the work of Ricky, who has done a very good job, but we think it’s time to make some changes. We will disclose the new head coach in due course.”
Former R&F coach Yeung Ching-Kwong is understood to be in the frame to take over, while it is believed that Cheng intends to spend more time doing television commentary.