Francis Kimanzi has resigned as Mathare United head coach to concentrate on his assistant coaching duties at the national team, Harambee Stars, the club has announced.
Kimanzi’s immediate former deputy Salim Ali has been elevated to the top position of the Kenyan Premier League side as they prepare for the new 2019/2020 season that kicks off on August 31.
Kimanzi has been double tasking since he was appointed as the under-23 team head coach in March last year before joining Sebastian Migne’s technical bench.
Kimanzi has been away with the national team since May 21 when he travelled with Harambee Stars for the pre-African Cup of Nations camp in France before reporting to camp with the local-based players in preparation for Sunday’s African Nations Championship qualifier first leg tie against Tanzania, in Dar es Salaam.
He led Mathare to a sixth-place finish in the 2018/2019 season after garnering 55 points. "Though it was difficult, I had to make this decision for my own development. It's important for me to keep on progressing in my career," said Kimanzi.
READ MORE
Olunga, Okumu headline Harambee Stars provisional squad for Bafana Bafana double-header
'Even if you pay me millions': McCarthy warns Harambee Stars against dreaming too big at AFCON 2027
Pressure mounts on McCarthy as Harambee Stars stumble in Conakry
Mathare posted on their official twitter account: "Salim Ali has been promoted to the position of head coach."
"Ali, who has been serving as an assistant coach for the last four seasons, takes over from Francis Kimanzi who has stepped aside to focus on his position at the national football team, Harambee Stars. "
The duo, who coached Slum Boys to their league title in 2008, rejoined the club in 2015. They were part of Mathare team that won Moi Golden Cup in 1998.
