WHICH WAY NUTTALL? Gor Mahia deny sacking coach despite Scot issuing a statement he had been fired

MAHIA COACH FRANK NUTTALL.PHOTO:BONIFACE OKENDO

Gor Mahia have vehemently refuted reports that they have parted ways with head coach Frank Nuttall.

Despite having had a successful spell at K’Ogalo since replacing Bobby Williamson, the reigning Coach of the Year has been at loggerheads with the club over salary-related issues.

And on Thursday, all hell broke loose when Nuttall (pictured right) issued a press statement saying that he had been fired by Gor after he refused to take a pay cut.

“The Executive Committee of Gor Mahia has terminated my contract today 4th February 2016 via a letter to my lawyer.

“However, my contract was to expire on 1st January 2017,” read the statement from Nuttall.

“The reason for terminating my contract is because the executive committee of Gor Mahia club wanted to reduce my salary by 50 per cent whereas my contract clearly provided for a 10 per cent increase of my salary from 1st January 2016.

“Let me take this opportunity to thank all Gor Mahia players and fans for their support since ai joined the club in September 2014,” concluded the statement.

However, in a quick rejoinder, the club’s Organising Secretary David Kilo denounced Nuttall’s claims insisting that he is still their employee.

“As far as I am concerned, Frank Nuttall is still our employee. He held a meeting with one of the Executive Committee members to review the contract, but we actually don’t know what transpired. I am not aware of his sacking,” Kilo told Feverpitch.

“Yes, he had initially made some unrealistic demands but being a professional club we explained to him our position and he agreed to come back on a 50% pay cut. His current salary is Sh325,000.

“The Executive committee is yet to meet and decide on Nuttall’s contract. He just blew everything out of proportion. I think he disagreed with who ever was reviewing his contract and thought that what the club was offering was one way of telling him to go.

“Where in the world can a club terminate a contract of a performing coach with such a reputation? Everything will be sorted out amicably there is nothing to panic about,” he added.

Just a few days ago, the club announced a five-year sponsorship deal with the league sponsors Sportpesa.

Nuttal won the Premier League title on his debut season before retaining it with an unbeaten record last year.

He won the Super Cup, KPL Top 8 and guided Gor to their first ever Cecafa Kagame Cup final in years.

The decision didn’t go well with most of the club’s fans who took to social media to express their frustrations and protested the executive’s decision to sack the Scot.

“Haiya! Tumecheswa! We need Coach Nutal back to Gor Mahia by latest leo saa tano na apande ndege nyaka Mombasa!,” read a post on Jaro Soja Facebook page.

“The bar has been set too high by Nuttal that it is only himself who can maintain it,” wrote Compresha Sirkal.

“Breaking history for firing a performer who set the club a history record. Where in the world is your salary reduced because of performing,” posted Geoffrey Ceeloh Mariga.

It is not clear if Nuttall will be on the touchline in today’s DSTV Super Cup against Bandari, at Mbaraki Stadium.

Although some quarters said the coach could be flying to the coastal city this morning ahead of the match

At the same time, Gor Mahia has confirmed the appointment of former Karuturi Sports and FC Talanta coach Michael Nam as their new assistant coach, replacing Bobby Ogolla who rejoined Nairobi City Stars.

“We wanted a coach with a UK coaching experience and Nam was the preferred candidate,” confirmed Kilo.

But the Uefa B licence holder said he was not aware of the appointment.

“I did apply for the job when Ogolla left, but I am surprised with the rumour that is going around,” said Nam.