Monrovia – Robert Lartey has been confirmed as BYC’s coach, returning for a second stint in charge of the defending Liberian champions.
Lartey replaces Copper Sannah who was sacked by the club on May 20th due to the “Go Blue Boys” poor form, both in their current domestic league, and in past international competitions.
The 2012/2013 best Liberian coach Robert Lartey, has been out of active coaching since LISCR parted company with him in 2016, but signed a contract to end the season with BYC, with a mandate to keep the club in the top three.
If accomplished, he is expected to be given the job permanently for the 2017/2018 upcoming season or beyond.
Lartey won the FA cup, First division, and Super Cup with BYC in one season 2012/2013 during his first stint at the club, which ended in 2015.
He also won the FA Cup with the junior team (BYC II) as head coach, taking the club to the second round of the CAF Cup during their debut appearance.
Mr. Lartey told the club’s official Facebook: “I promise exactly the same things I promised during my first spell, with this difference to help – which is, I’m one of you.”
“In football, in my career I’ve had two great passions, Monrovia Club Breweries, and BYC, but the “Go Blue Boys” is more than important for me.”
The returning coach said; “It was very, very hard to play against BYC and I did it losing only twice, which was not so bad.”
BYC President Sekou Konneh said of Lartey; “He is undoubtedly a very good coach, he gets people to play for him.”
Konneh continued-“He is such good value, his players love him, even if they have bad feelings about him they still love him.
He understands how to talk to the fans, make the players motivated, and interact with the media.
He is a mover and a shaker. Having him back is great for us, and hoping he can help restored the lost image of the club.”
According to the club, Lartey will be officially presented in a press conference at Blue Field on Monday, May 29, and will work with the current coaching staff at the club.
Mr. Konneh said of Pella: “He was, and remains a hugely popular figure at the club and everyone here looks forward to working with him again.”
Konneh added “I am delighted to welcome him back to BYC.
His continued success, drive, and ambition made him the outstanding candidate.
It is our aim to keep the club moving forward to achieve greater success in the future, and Pella is our number one choice; we believe he is the right coach to do just that.”
The tough taking technician Pella said “I know I am loved at BYC” “I know I am loved by some clubs, but BYC is the club after my heart.”
Lartey will return to a squad which contains some familiar faces, with regulars; Mulbah Urey, Hilton Varney, Claudius Morris, Prince Saydee, Mark Paye, Van-Dave Harmon, and Prince Jetoh; including Sporo Somah whom remain on the books of BYC.
Team Captain Van-Dave Harmon told the club website “He’s a great coach, I’ve said it a million times to the point of boring people, but I’m very fortunate to have worked under him before. He took my game a million miles, and my personality in terms of football he was amongst reasons why I moved on to BYC.”
“He’s taken that (a winning mentality) everywhere he’s gone with him.”
“He creates a spirit in his squads that you can see from the outside is very, very strong. He’s a top-class coach by Liberian standards, we all know that.”
Lartey is expected to officially start training the team on today Monday May 29th, 2017.
The emotional Lartey first match in charge of the “Go Blue Boys” on his return will be against league Leaders Fassell FC in the league on June 11, 2017 at the ATS.
The defending champions are 5th on the league table with 25 points from 15 matches and will have to win their last seven games to keep their title hopes alive.