'I have to live with that frustration' - Former Gor Mahia star Edwin Lavatsa on tough transition from player to coach

'I have to live with that frustration' - Former Gor Mahia star Edwin Lavatsa on tough transition from player to coach

Mark Kinyanjui 09:00 - 10.10.2024

Former Gor Mahia striker Edwin Lavasta has revealed the most frustrating thing he has had to endure since being forced to transition into coaching after an injury forced him to retire.

Former Gor Mahia striker Edwin Lavatsa has opened up about the challenges he faces as he transitions from playing to coaching, admitting that the journey has been far from easy. 

Lavatsa, now serving as an assistant coach at National Super League (NSL) side Kibera Black Stars, shared his experiences and the obstacles he has encountered in his new role.

Speaking candidly about the shift, Lavatsa acknowledged that stepping off the pitch and into the dugout has brought its own set of difficulties.

 "It has not been easy transitioning from being a player to a coach, but I am grateful for the experience it is giving me to be able to coach an even bigger club in the future," he explained as quoted on Mozzart Sport.

One of the biggest challenges for Lavatsa has been adapting to his new role off the pitch, where his influence is limited compared to his playing days.

 "As a player, you are the main actor and can correct mistakes quickly," he noted. "Sometimes I feel like I want to get on the pitch and do something, but I can’t, so I have to live with that frustration."

Lavatsa, 31, also highlighted the unique challenges of coaching in the NSL, a level he had never played at. "Every match is tough in the NSL, and that is a challenge. We prepare well in training, but when we don’t win, it feels like we have to go back to the drawing board, which is not easy," he said.

The former striker also revealed that his early retirement from playing football was not entirely by choice, admitting that he may have hung up his boots sooner than he had initially intended. 

"I got a bad injury but healed and could have come back to play. However, I looked at the frustrations players are facing in the league and told myself it is not worth it," Lavatsa said.

He pointed to the lack of sponsorship in the league and the financial struggles that players endure as key reasons for his decision to leave the game earlier than expected.

 "Right now, the league does not have a sponsor, and you find that players are putting in so much but getting back little. I opted to go into coaching to avoid those kinds of frustrations. It's not easy, yes, but the pain will not be there forever."

Despite the hurdles, Lavatsa remains optimistic about his future in coaching and is determined to grow in his role at Kibera Black Stars. His journey reflects the often overlooked challenges that former players face as they transition into coaching roles, especially in the lower tiers of football.

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