Aussems and Kimanzi dropped as Muhiddin tops Bandari head coach shortlist

Photo Credit: Patrick Aussems

TRANSFERS Aussems and Kimanzi dropped as Muhiddin tops Bandari head coach shortlist

Kiplagat Sang • 09:00 - 29.06.2023

The Dockers are searching for a new coach before the new season begins, tentatively on August 26.

Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) side Bandari are no longer interested in AFC Leopards head coach Patrick Aussems and former Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi, according to reports.

Aussems, Robert Matano of Tusker, and former Mathare United and Harambee Stars' coach Francis Kimanzi were understood to be on Bandari's shortlist of coaches to inherit the mantle permanently.

The Dockers will have a new head coach next season after parting ways with Anthony Kimani - following elimination from FKF Cup - and appointing Twahir Muhiddin in an acting capacity.

The 2018 FKF Cup champions are believed to be firmly focused on Muhiddin, although he had at one point said he was not interested in the job on a long-term basis.

Although some within the Bandari board regard Matano as an able replacement, others claim he is not a suitable coach to handle the team. There are also fears that getting him out of Tusker will be a tough task, so there is no need to pursue him anymore.

Matano lost the FKF Premier League title race to Gor Mahia and remains with a crucial game before their season ends. They will tackle Kakamega Homeboyz in the FKF Cup final, and that is the only way they can get back to continental football as the winner of the domestic competition is handed the CAF Confederation Cup ticket.

That means Matano's future can be determined after the cup final, and a win would certainly point to him staying with the Ruaraka-based side.

Kimanzi was also regarded as a potential candidate suitable to lead the Mbaraki-based outfit. The former Wazito coach won the league with Matahre United in 2008, and when he was in charge of Harambee Stars, the national side showed flashes of brilliance at times.

Bandari are an ambitious side, as they hope to be regarded as a force within the Kenyan football fraternity. Initially, Casa Mbungo and his successor Kimani were viewed as coaches to make them league challengers, but their steam waned, and the club ended up sacking them.

The next man to be appointed is expected to deliver on the ambition, which is why only experienced coaches are considered at this point.