Ambrose Rachier : Why Gor Mahia will not announce a new coach until the season ends

Ambrose Rachier : Why Gor Mahia will not announce a new coach until the season ends

Mark Kinyanjui 19:20 - 11.06.2024

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has candidly explained why the club will not announce a new head coach until the end of the season.

Gor Mahia's Chairman, Ambrose Rachier, has confirmed that the club will name a new head coach after the departure of their current head coach, Johnathan McKinstry. 

McKinstry is set to return to Kenya on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, to lead the team through their final three matches of the FKF Premier League season before officially parting ways with the club.

McKinstry, who took a two-week leave to coach the Gambian National Football Team in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, has led the team to an impressive 5-1 victory over Seychelles, marking their first win in three Group F matches. 

He is expected to lead Gambia in another qualifying match against Gabon on Tuesday night before returning to Kenya.

Gor Mahia, the record 21-time FKF Premier League champions, will face Sofapaka on Sunday, June 16, Talanta on Wednesday, June 19, and Bidco United on Sunday, June 23, with McKinstry at the helm. Following these matches, McKinstry will be officially released from his duties at the club.

Chairman Rachier expressed his gratitude for McKinstry's contributions, noting the coach's success in leading Gor Mahia to back-to-back league titles. 

He emphasized that the club will only unveil McKinstry's successor after his official release, to avoid any confusion or overlap in leadership.

“We are delighted that fresh from coaching our beloved club Gor Mahia, he has made a mark at the international level, handing Gambian their first win in Group F of the World Cup qualifiers,” Rachier told Citizen TV. 

“We don’t want a situation where we will have two head coaches at the same time. Once we release McKinstry, we will then name and unveil our new man in charge.”

McKinstry, who joined Gor Mahia in July 2022, has had a successful tenure, leading the team to two consecutive FKF Premier League titles. Despite the setback of not participating in the CAF Champions League last season due to licensing issues, McKinstry's leadership has been highly valued.

Before leaving for Gambia, McKinstry expressed his fondness for Gor Mahia, stating, “I will surely miss Gor Mahia.

“ I will closely follow their CAF Champions League campaign and will always wish them well.”

As Gor Mahia prepares for this transition, the football community eagerly awaits the announcement of the new head coach, who will be expected to continue the club’s legacy of success. The unveiling of the new coach will be conducted at an appropriate time, following McKinstry's official departure from the club.

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