Mutebi: I’m ready for challenging task

Posted By Online Reporter at 5 December, at 16 : 02 PM Print

Today, Mike Mutebi was confirmed as new SC Villa manager in a move that caught many unawares. Shortly after taking over the managerial mantle at Villa Park, the 41-year-old Mutebi told sc-villa.com about how his grand plans are on the same wavelength with those of the Villa top brass.

Welcome to SC Villa, Mike. What’s your initial reaction to what should be a fascinating appointment?

Oh! Thank you very much. I am pleased to be here and ready to get started with my work with the boys at Villa Park.

Was it ever in your wildest dreams that you would ever coach Villa?

Well, in football you can never know what happens but if you declare yourself as a professional you have to be ready to work anywhere especially if the person seeking your services believes in you and shares a similar philosophy as you have.

What was it really that persuaded you to join Villa?

The Villa administrators approached me and told me of the huge plans they have for this club in terms of changing its professional outlook. They have big dreams of making this club a top once again in terms of organisation and success on the field. With that in mind, I was obliged to join in order to see this wonderful project of Villa to fruition.

How difficult has it been for you taking this job considering your background with our fierce rivals KCC FC?

The issue of my attachment with KCC didn’t even cross my mind as I made this decision. While I grew up supporting KCC, played for it and also coached it some years back, I am a professional coach and I am going to work wholeheartedly for Villa. Right now, it is not about where I worked before or which team I supported as a kid; it’s about Villa.

What are your immediate ambitions for the club? Is it winning the league title now?

[Laughs] I am coming in to build a good team that can win for many years both locally and on the continent. It is hard to speak about the league title because it is not just a matter of talking. I have to work and organise the team and make them believe in their abilities. Once there is good backing from the management and the fans, I am sure we will win games.

The previous coach Srdjan Zivojnov said that he didn’t have the best players around to win Cups. Are you going to overhaul the team too?

Not at all. I think Villa has good players throughout the ranks. My coaching staff is going to work and improve them especially on how to score goals and even create them. However, before a team succeeds, they also need to believe. This is something we shall endeavour to restore in the players. Otherwise, I think they are a good lot we can work with.

You have over the years been branded tough on players, and, therefore, difficult to work with. How true is that?

Football management is a combination of so many things. One of them is tough love and that is important if a player is to improve. The thing about me and all my players will realise that, is that I tell you the truth. Honesty is my virtue and if we can’t share that, then we fall out. Being tough on players, is intended to encourage them and bring out the best in them, but it’s not true that I am hard to work with or rude. Every institution has rules to follow and if players comply, we will get along so well. I would like to tell you that Sir Alex Ferguson is said to be very tough on players, but how come he’s one of the most successful coaches in world football?

Finally, can you describe the feeling as you start a new job at Villa Park? What are your projections for the future?

I believe in what has been set up at Villa and I know the job of a coach is a result-oriented one and I am not under any illusions. The projections I have are that I have to work very hard to get Villa back to the top. Right now, I am really excited and I am raring to start on what should be a tough and challenging journey.   

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