‘I have not been able to do my job’ – Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr speaks

Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr [Courtesy]

After three back-to-back defeats in the SportPesa Premier League, Gor Mahia coach has finally weighed in on the issues affecting the current champions.

Through a statement released on the club's official portal on Thursday, September 27, Kerr lamented on how his players have boycotted training due to unpaid salaries.

“In the past 25 days, my players boycotted training sessions. In fact in the entire month, we only had a training session together on Tuesday 25th September the day before Vihiga game,” said Kerr.

Kerr lamented on how his players have boycotted training due to unpaid salaries [Courtesy]

Kerr admits that he had to put things into perspective as head coach following his team’s poor run of form and that even though he is responsible for team selection, tactics and welfare of his players, he has not been able to do his job properly.

He then poured cold water on those questioning his methods, saying the results have been ‘fantastic’ when the team didn’t experience problems off the pitch.

Here’s Dylan Kerr’s full statement as seen by Game Yetu of Gor Mahia’s official website:

MY TOUGHEST MONTH AT GOR MAHIA

My job as head coach is to work, coach, prepare and do my very best and I am very proud of that because of what we have achieved.

Unfortunately, recent results have gone against us and especially me as a coach and I need to put things into perspective.

In the past 25 days, my players boycotted training sessions. In fact in the entire month, we only had a training session together on Tuesday 25th September the day before Vihiga game(yesterday).

In many occassions, my technical staff and l reported to training. For players, maybe one or two showed up but everyone else did not attend due to delayed August salary so we haven’t held a proper training session for a while now.

Gor Mahia head coach Dylan Kerr (right) during KPL match against Vihiga United. There was a heavy downpour during the match.

Against Thika and Ulinzi, we selected players who reported for the game. The players looked disinterested, no match fitness and again, they were more focused on off the pitch happenings.

In yesterday’s game – before the horrendous downpour, we actually played some good football but lack of training and match fitness, worked against us – two counter attacks cost us another three points and gave us our fifth defeat in all competitions.

The head coach is responsible for team selection, tactics, welfare of his players and technical bench, the supporters trust and more importantly the results.

FACT: I have NOT been able to do my job as a head coach and if we look back, when I have been able to work with my players, prepare my players and select the best players for all games, the results have been fantastic.

In the world of football, a club is judged on results and performance and the same applies to the head coach.

My football ethics, philosophy and beliefs are being questioned because of our recent results without anyone bothering to look at the circumstances and facts around the team.

I still have faith and trust in my Chairman Ambrose Rachier, players and staff and I apologise to the K’Ogalo faithfuls for our recent results.

Gor Mahia Head Coach
Dylan Kerr