Premium

What next for Gor Mahia after Andreas Spiers' exit?

Gor Mahia coach Andreas Spiers reacts during their FKFPL match against Vihiga Bullets at Kasarani Stadium in February. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia on Tuesday fired their 15th coach in a span of 12 years after parting ways with German tactician Andreas Spiers.

Spiers was appointed as the club’s head coach on February 1 after the sacking of Briton tactician Mark Harrison and his assistant Sammy Omollo due to poor results.

During Spiers’ reign, Gor Mahia played 17 FKF Premier League matches where they managed to win six, drew seven and lost two in the process.

Spiers led the club to a third-place finish on 54 points, nine below eventual winners Tusker.

This was the second season Gor missed out on the league title which they had won for the past four consecutive seasons.

On the brighter side, the German had helped the team win the Madaraka Day Cup against their perennial rivals AFC Leopards 6-5 on post-match penalties at Nyayo Stadium and consequently pocketed Sh1 million in prize money.

However, it seems the club’s management was not impressed with his work and opted not to extend his six-month deal which expired a few days ago. 

“We can confirm that we have mutually parted ways with head coach Andreas Spiers. His contract ended and we are now in the market for a new coach. We wish him well,” Gor Mahia posted on their official social media pages.

But the big question is, what is really ailing Gor Mahia and why the club has become a revolving door for coaches.

Should K’Ogalo ditch the massive hiring of foreign coaches and revert to local coaches?

Gor Mahia fans from Kisumu County gave mixed reactions to the coaching problems facing the 19-time Kenyan champions.

James Obonyo, said he has no problem with Gor hiring foreign coaches but feels the management has to give these coaches long-term contracts.

“There is a big problem with Gor Mahia’s management. You cannot appoint and fire coaches any time and expect to get positive results,” said Obonyo.

“The management is confusing the players every time because each coach comes with his own tactical philosophy which disrupts team chemistry every now and then. This needs to stop if we are to get back on top because now Tusker are ahead of us.”

However, for Silas Okello, Gor would perform better if they revert to their local talents.

“I am a true believer of developing our own local talent. We have good coaches here in Kenya who can perform well. Why not give them a chance? Why must we always spend millions on foreigners who in the end leave after few months?” posed Okello, a Sales Officer in Kisumu.

Since 2010, Gor Mahia have hired four local coaches and 11 foreign tacticians.

Despite Tusker coach Robert Matano, a local coach, being a living proof that Kenyan coaches can perform better, Gor Mahia’s recent glory have been hugely reliant on foreign coaches.

Bobby Williamson ended Gor’s 18-year title drought when he won the 2013 title despite the work largely falling on Croatian Zdravko Logarusic who departed before the season ended.

After Williamson, Frank Nutall took over the reins and guided the club to winning the 2015 championship with an unbeaten record immediately after winning the 2014 title.

Another coach is Dylan Kerr who led K’Ogalo to the 2017 and 2018 league titles triumph.

Kerr was known for being very friendly with the public.

 

Motorsport
Hyundai's Lappi confident his team will conquer Safari Rally
Golf
Muthaiga claims victory as the Tannahill Shield tourney begins in Nairobi
Unique Sports
LG renews sponsorship for SJAK Player of the Month awards
By Mose Sammy 1 day ago
Golf
Kang'ara outshines 280 golfers at Thika Club