ZESCO United coach Wedson Nyirenda has quit his post at three-time league champions alongside his assistant, Dabid Chilufya.

Nyirenda, who has won two league titles with the Ndola side, tendered his resignation to the club executive on Sunday.

Zesco general secretary, Justin Mumba said in a statement yesterday that Nyirenda quit the job despite the club repeatedly backing him to continue leading the team beyond 2013.

"It's with heavy heart and sadness that the club would like to announce that the head coach Mr Wedson Nyirenda has resigned and left the club with immediate effect. As a club we regret his departure, it must be emphasised that he arrived at his decision on his accord without any undue influence, it should be realised that as a club, we have repeatedly backed him to continue leading the club beyond 2013," Mumba said.

He said Nyirenda, who is linked with a move to Mozambique, had been Zesco's most successful coach and that the club recognised his contribution by bestowing the honorary membership - the club's highest award - last month.

Mumba said Chilufya, the second assistant coach, also resigned from the club.

Zesco has since tasked assistant coach, Tenant Chembo to take charge at Trade Fair ground in an interim capacity.

Mumba promised to soon issue a comprehensive statement on the way forward regarding the position of head coach and that the players have already been briefed about Nyirenda and Chilufya's departure.

Nyirenda, who first arrived at Zesco in 2007, guided the team to its first-ever league title the same and also won the Coca-Cola, Barclays cups and Charity Shield.

Zesco had also reached the finals of the Mosi Cup in 2007 but lost on penalties to Red Arrows.

In 2008, the club under Nyirenda's stewardship, Zesco retained the league and the Barclays Cup.

After the 2008 season, Nyirenda turned down Zesco's offer for an extension to his contract after expiry and instead joined Zanaco, whom he guided to the league title in 2009.

The former Zambia striker returned to Ndola at the start of the 2012 season and guided the team to third place finish in the league and a semi-final place in the Barclays Cup.