Gor Mahia has shortlisted 10 candidates from a pool of 53 applicants for the position of head coach, set to replace Jonathan McKinstry. Club chairman Ambrose Rachier emphasized their thorough selection process to ensure they find the right coach for the job.
However, the new coach will be unveiled only after McKinstry officially bids farewell on June 23, 2024, when K’Ogalo plays its final FKF Premier League match.
McKinstry has already assumed the role of head coach for the Gambian national football team, following a mutual agreement with Gor Mahia, though his contract with the local league giants is still in effect until the end of the season.
“We have so far shortlisted ten coaches out of the long list of 53 applicants. We will be done with the process by the end of the week, but will only unveil the new coach after bidding farewell to McKinstry,” explained Rachier.
The chairman explained that they have looked into various critical areas including their previous successes with other clubs, especially at the continental level.
The selection team also dropped coaches who have previously worked in the country, some of whom were among the applicants.
“We have taken our time perusing their CVs to ensure we come up with the best from the long list. We were interested in their past performances and their level of coaching with various teams or countries,” said Rachier.
Jonathan McKinstry’s appointment as the Gambian National Team head coach came just after he led Gor Mahia to a record 21st league title this season, reinstating their presence in both regional and continental football. The new coach’s first major assignment will be the CECAFA Kagame Cup, starting on July 6, 2024, in Tanzania and Zanzibar, followed by an invitational tournament in Enugu, Nigeria.
Club chairman Ambrose Rachier reassured fans that Gor Mahia will honor their commitment to the Enugu Invitational Tournament, which starts on August 1, 2024.
Initially, there were concerns about a scheduling conflict between the CECAFA Kagame Cup and the Nigerian tournament. However, the rescheduling of the CECAFA Kagame Cup to an earlier date has resolved this issue. Rachier confirmed that the new dates have provided the necessary relief and assured participation in both tournaments.
In May 2024, Gor Mahia received an invitation to the inaugural Coal City International Cup in Enugu, Nigeria, an 8-team tournament organized by the Enugu State Government. Participating in this tournament is expected to be financially beneficial for Gor Mahia, with the club earning at least Kshs.650,000 per match, along with additional winning bonuses.
Despite clinching the title this season, Gor Mahia still has three premier league matches to play against Sofapaka, Talanta, and Bidco United to complete their season’s fixtures.
