Micho Departs Al Merrikh After Just Three Months Over Unpaid Wages
Former Orlando Pirates coach Milutin “Micho” Sredojevic has parted ways with Sudanese football giants Al Merrikh SC, barely three months after taking charge of the team. The well-travelled Serbian tactician cited unpaid wages as the primary reason for his premature exit.
Micho, who took the reins at Al Merrikh in January, confirmed that financial instability at the club made it impossible for him to continue in his role. “Due to non-payments of wages, we are parting ways. It is better to sit for free than work for free,” he told Soccer Laduma.
The coach, who has previously managed top African sides including Zamalek, SC Villa, and Uganda’s national team, oversaw 10 league matches with the Sudanese powerhouse—winning five and losing five. One of his notable victories came against Al Hilal SC, a team that has reached this season’s CAF Champions League quarterfinals.
While speculation had swirled around Micho’s exit being related to inconsistent performances, the coach has made it clear that the financial issues were at the heart of his decision to walk away. His time at Al Merrikh was marred by instability, both on and off the pitch.
Currently, both Al Merrikh and their fierce rivals Al Hilal are competing in the Mauritanian Premier League. This temporary relocation is due to the ongoing suspension of professional football in Sudan amid political unrest. The turmoil has forced clubs to seek alternative leagues to continue their campaigns.
Micho leaves Al Merrikh in sixth place on the Mauritanian Premier League log with 36 points from 25 games. With five matches remaining in the season, the Red Devils face the challenge of finishing strongly without their head coach.
His sudden departure once again highlights the difficult conditions under which many coaches operate on the continent, where financial instability and political tension often disrupt the footballing environment.
