- McKinstry has previously coached Uganda and Rwanda
- He has been appointed on a two-year deal
- Gor were without a coach after the exit of Andres Spier
FKF Premier League giants Gor Mahia have named Irishman Jonathan McKinstry as their new head coach on a two-year deal, taking over from Andres Spier.
Gor Mahia were without a tactician since the exit of German Spier who left after his short term deal with the club ended at the close of the season. McKinstry has previously coached the Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Uganda national teams.
The Uganda Cranes was his last post before leaving following their failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations last year.
The tactician met with the players during their Friday morning training session to familiarize himself with the surroundings.
Opportunity has interested me
Jonny McKinstry signing his contract. PHOTO/Gor Mahia
“The opportunity to lead Gor Mahia is something that has interested me for several years – ever since I first visited the club in 2016 whilst Head Coach of Rwanda. The stature of the club, combined with its significant and passionate fanbase place them as one of the leading clubs on the continent,” the Irishman
He adds; “To be trusted with the responsibility of guiding them back to success is a task that I relish,” THE Northern Irishman said after taking over the role.”
Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier is confident that the new coach will take Gor Mahia back to the top after they lost the league title to Tusker FC over the last two seasons.
“He is an experienced coach and we don’t have a doubt that he will get the club back to the top. We welcome him to the club and wish him all the best,” Rachier said.
The tactician comes in to a side with all sorts of problems, but their financial crisis that saw them struggle last season have been taken care of with BetAfriq coming on board in a three-year sponsorship deal worth over Sh200mn.
Transfer embargo and lack of signings
New Gor Mahia coach Jonny McKinstry. PHOTO/Gor Mahia
The club is also under a transfer embargo due to ongoing cases between former players over non-payment of salaries but it is highly likely the club will sort out the problem.
McKinstry knows the kind of surrounding he comes into but is confident he has what it takes to take Gor back to the top.
“There can be no doubt that the last couple of years will have been deeply frustrating for everyone associated with the club, as results have not matched the expectations of this great club. We will be doing everything within our power to rectify that not only for this season but also to lay strong foundations that will allow for the return of a sustained period of success in the club’s history,” the coach said.
He coach Rwanda in 2016, leading them to the quarter-finals of the African nation’s Championship, only losing out to eventual champions DR Congo in extra time. He had joined Rwanda from Sierra Leone whom he guided to their highest ever FIFA World Ranking position.
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