Monrovia – LISCR Football Club, one of Liberia’s most successful teams in recent years, is again at the center of a managerial shake-up after parting ways with Belgian coach Alain-André Landeut, barely two months after his appointment.
By Christopher C. Walker [email protected] 0777898224 / 0886723075
Landeut, who was unveiled on August 6, 2025, resigned from his position citing personal reasons, marking the sixth coaching change at LISCR in less than three years. The club confirmed in a statement that both parties mutually agreed to part ways. “Coach Landeut has decided to step down to attend to personal matters that require his immediate attention. The club has respected and accepted his decision,” the statement read.
The Belgian tactician arrived at the Shipping Boys with an impressive résumé, having managed clubs across Africa — including DC Motema Pembe of DR Congo and Kiyovu Sports of Rwanda — where he won domestic silverware. His appointment was initially seen as a new dawn for LISCR, but his tenure ended without leading the club in a single LFA First Division match.
LISCR has since announced that former Liberian international defender Varmah Kpoto, a CAF License A holder, will take charge of the team on an interim basis, assisted by Mohammed Sheriff, as the club begins restructuring its technical department.
But Landeut’s departure continues a pattern that has defined the club’s recent history. Since 2022, LISCR has cycled through a string of head coaches — a level of turnover rarely seen in Liberian football.
In February 2022, LISCR appointed Samuel Chebli on a two-year deal. Under Chebli, the Shipping Boys enjoyed unprecedented success, winning all three domestic titles — the First Division, FA Cup, and Super Cup — in the 2022/23 season, a feat that earned him the LFA Best Coach of the Year award. Yet, despite that historic treble, the club opted not to renew his contract at the end of the 2023–24 season.
Chebli’s exit was followed by a brief and turbulent succession of coaches. In October 2024, Nigerian tactician Oladeinde Babatunde was named head coach, but he lasted barely six weeks before mutually parting ways with the club in November.
On that same day, Theophilus Geekor was appointed on a two-year deal — only to be replaced a few months later in February 2025 by Gambian manager Tapha Manneh, who returned for a short stint after previously guiding LISCR to five trophies between 2016 and 2021.
Manneh’s second spell lasted until mid-2025, paving the way for Landeut’s short-lived tenure.
Analysts say this rapid turnover could threaten LISCR’s long-term project and stability. “Frequent coaching changes often disrupt tactical development and team chemistry,” one local football pundit told FrontPage Africa. “LISCR has the structure and resources to dominate for years, but continuity is what will sustain success.”
Despite the revolving door of managers, LISCR remains among the best-organized clubs in Liberian football, boasting one of the country’s most professional setups and consistent domestic success.
With Kpoto now leading the team, fans will be watching closely to see if stability finally returns to the Shipping Boys’ dugout.
LISCR FC Coaching Timeline (2022–2025)
Coach Period Notable Achievement
Samuel Chebli Feb 2022 – Apr 2024 Won 2022/23 Treble (League, FA Cup, Super Cup); LFA Best Coach 2023
Oladeinde Babatunde Oct 2024 – Nov 2024 Brief tenure; mutually parted ways
Theophilus Geekor Nov 2024 – Feb 2025 Two-year deal; replaced during restructuring
Tapha Manneh Feb 2025 – Aug 2025 Returned for second stint; previous 5-trophy success (2016–2021)
Alain-André Landeut Aug 2025 – Oct 2025 Belgian coach; resigned before first league match
Varmah Kpoto Oct 2025 – Present Interim head coach; former Lone Star defender
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