Relegation threatened Gombe United Football Club on Thursday confirmed the resignation of head coach, Mohammed Babaganaru.

The General Manager of the club, Abubakar Abubakar, confirmed Babaganaru’s resignation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Gombe.

“Yes, he (Babaganaru) has resigned,” said Abubakar.

Asked the reasons for the resignation, Abubakar said, “I don’t know, call him and ask him.”

Efforts to contact Babaganaru by the NAN correspondent proved abortive as his phone was switched off.

About four days ago, Babaganaru said his team was not psychologically sound owing to its financial challenges.

He stated this in a post-match conference held at Pantami township stadium on Sunday shortly after Gombe United Football Club defeated visiting Lagos Sporting Football Club 2-0.

A top management staff, who declined to be mentioned because he was not authorised to speak for the club, said the coach resigned on Wednesday citing poor funding by the state government, which according to the coach had become unbearable for the Gombe United Football Club team.

The two-time winner of NPFL with Kano Pillars who was hired by Gombe United in September 2023 had in several interviews complained about delay in making away trips.

This, he said, had often affected his players’ performance in away matches as they were always fatigued after long journeys by road.

The Maiduguri-born coach had also managed Lobi Stars of Makurdi, Nasarawa United, Wikki Tourists and El Kanemi Warriors before coming to Gombe United.

Gombe United Football Club’s recurring poor condition

NAN reports that on July 19, 2023, Aliyu Zubairu, Babaganaru’s predecessor also left the club after four seasons, identifying the poor condition of service for his decision not to renew his contract with the club.

Gombe United currently occupy the 19th position on the NPFL log with 21 points from 21 matches with a -17 goal difference.

In December 2023, the coach had earlier appealed to the state government to alleviate the sufferings of players by providing funds to aid the Gombe United Football Club team’s performance.

NAN