Published: July 30, 2025
MONROVIA – Belgian football coach Ivan Minnaert has parted ways with reigning Liberian champions FC Fassell, cutting short what was hailed as one of the most lucrative coaching agreements in the history of the Liberian National Football League.
Minnaert was unveiled in April 2024 as head coach of FC Fassell under a reported three-year agreement valued at more than $66,500 in salaries, bonuses, and allowances. The contract was set to run through June 2027. But on July 14, Minnaert abruptly exited the club, citing personal reasons.
Just a week later, he was named head coach of Ugandan Premier League side Vipers SC—a move that has angered Fassell’s leadership. The club accused Minnaert of breaching his contract and announced plans to file a complaint with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
However, Minnaert told The Liberian Investigator that he never signed a binding contract with FC Fassell, and therefore the club has no legal grounds to pursue a case.
An investigation by The Liberian Investigator appears to support his claim. Documents reviewed show that the agreement was not executed directly between Minnaert and FC Fassell. Instead, it was signed between the club and Moroccan intermediary agency Complice Marketing Sport, which was tasked with recruiting the coach on Fassell’s behalf.
A signed agent agreement between Fassell CEO Cassell A. Kouh and Complice Marketing Sport General Manager Fatine Fatu Soclo outlined the following terms:
- A monthly salary of $4,000 (or $52,000 annually)
- A $10,000 league-winning bonus
- $250 per league match-day win, totaling approximately $4,500 for 18 wins
- Travel allowances for multiple trips to Rwanda, Spain, and Belgium
Yet, The Liberian Investigator found no evidence of a direct or indirect legal contract between Minnaert and either FC Fassell or Complice Marketing Sport. There is also no documentation indicating that Minnaert authorized the agency to act on his behalf in executing the deal.
Despite this, FC Fassell maintains that its agreement with Complice Marketing Sport remains valid. The agency reportedly continues to serve as a consultant to the club under a separate annual retainer worth $12,000.
In response to the fallout, FC Fassell has developed a formalized contract template, now bearing its official logo and letterhead, which will be used for all future coaching hires. Similar agreements are reportedly being prepared for a new group of foreign players set to join the team.
With no binding contract in place, it remains unclear whether FC Fassell will proceed with legal action against the Belgian coach.
Meanwhile, the club is accelerating preparations for its appearance in the 2025 CAF Champions League, starting with the preliminary qualifying rounds.
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