If Bangor City do have a new manager – and it is yet to be confirmed by the club itself – then surely his first job will be to address an appalling disciplinary record.
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, the Citizens have picked up NINE red cards and 39 yellows in just 16 matches in all competitions.
They are, unsurprisingly, bottom of the Cymru North Fair Play table.
Between all the clubs in the tier 2 league there have been 21 reds dished out to date, so Bangor have received nearly half that amount themselves. City have also landed almost as many reds as the entire Cymru Premier League – 12 in total.
It is a serious situation facing the so far self-proclaimed new City head coach Mathurin Olivier Ovambe, also known as Matt. The story of his “appointment” is reported on Cameroon-based website https://sportsglitz.net/
Hailing from Cameroon, the 49-year-old Ovambe has worked in places as far apart as Rwanda and Rotherham!
He can speak English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Based in the Derby area, he has been an academy coach at Derby County, boss at Bellaria in Italy and an intern coach observer for the Brazilian national first team!
He has managed Azam Rwanda Premier League sides Mukura and Rayon Sports, and been lead trainer for Rotherham FC’s youth ranks.
The cosmopolitan Cameroonian arrives at Nantporth for a second time.
His first spell was in 2019/2020 as assistant to Argentine World Cup winner Pedro Pasculli.
After Pasculli had to leave due to the Covid19 pandemic, Ovambe also moved on.
It is claimed by sportsglitz.net that Ovambe now replaces Argentinian Hugo Colace, who was appointed Bangor City manager in June 2020.
Former Barnsley midfielder Colace posted on Twitter this afternoon that he has had a “very productive day” at Fleetwood FC and has responded to well-wishes from Bangor followers.
However, Bangor City themselves are yet to release a statement confirming Colace’s departure, or Ovambe’s arrival.
Ovambe’s Twitter account introduction reads: “A professional coach who believes in bringing his philosophy to the game.
“First black manager to coach at Serie C2. Currently head-coach at @Bangorcity1876”
If his appointment is confirmed, Bangor’s owners will surely be keen to see Ovambe work on improving the team’s shameful disciplinary record.
Those nine red cards this season include two apiece for Federico Tobler and Ignacio Torres, plus one each for Lewis Brass, Matthew Mullarkey, Dante Isla Cacciavillani, Giacomo Mello and Ryan Evans.
Three were sent off in one match against Gresford Athletic.
City currently lie eighth in Cymru North.
The FAW told Grassroots North Wales they knew of no official announcement from Bangor City about a new coach.
They added Hugo Colace is still registered as manager with the FAW.
I asked Colace if he has definitely left Bangor. He replied: “Not yet”. He added the visit to Fleetwood was for an “informal meeting”.
Nothing comes easy with Bangor City nowadays!
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