ZE MARIA STAYING PUT: Gor Mahia not sacking coach despite string of poor results
Football
By
Rodgers Eshitemi
| Sep 06, 2016
With speculation rife that Gor Mahia head coach Jose Marcello ‘Ze Maria’ Ferreira could be on his way out of the Kenyan Premier League champions, the club’s management has come out to clear the air insisting that the Brazilian is here to stay.
Ze Maria’s future at K’Ogalo has been cast in doubt over the last few weeks following the 15 times champions’ dip in form, and his frosty relationship with technical bench members and playing unit.
Gor Mahia are currently tied on points (37) with third placed Mathare United, seven points behind league leaders Tusker after three frustrating consecutive goalless draws.
And after publicly falling out with goalkeeper trainer Matthew Owino ‘Ottomax’ before the team elimination from the Gotv Shield tournament by minnows Nzoia United, unconfirmed reports had indicated that Gor Mahia were preparing to fire the former Brazilian international, who replaced Frank Nuttall at the start of the season.
However, in an interview with Feverpitch, Gor Mahia assistant Secretary General Ronald Ngala dismissed the claims. He said despite their slide in form being a concern, they have not yet reached the point of sacking the coach.
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“The coach (Jose Marcelo) is with us and at the moment he is here to stay. Just like any other person, he is concerned about the team’s form and we understand he has been trying to work so hard but results are not coming,” said Ngala.
“Equally, nobody is happy when we don’t get the maximum points, that’s why we are also concerned about the situation. But we have not reached a point of sacking him, just ignore those rumours.”
Although the official denied having given Ze Maria an ultimatum, his fate could be determined after the next two tricky matches against a resurgent fourth placed Chemelil Sugar and Ulinzi Stars.
“With the current form, you will hear a lot of things about the team, but when the results start coming they will die. Nobody has given him an ultimatum, but we are trying to do everything possible to ensure the team gets back to its winning ways,” said Ngala.