Why Gor Mahia should look no further than Zico to replace Kerr

What a coincidence that Dylan Kerr’s tenure at Gor Mahia lasted only 16 months just two months short of Frank Nuttall’s reign who won the league in 2015 unbeaten but just like the Englishman, spent his last days sulking over the unprofessionalism at the club.

While Kerr's resignation did not come as a surprise given his consistent criticism of the club’s hierarchy, the search for his successor begun in earnest barely a fortnight before Gor Mahia start their 2018/2019 Caf Champions League campaign against Malawi’s Nyasa Bullets.

In recent times, the search for a coach at K’Ogalo has seen the management traverse the world from West Africa to Europe and even South America specifically Brazil where Kerr’s predecessor Jose Marcelo Ferreira, popularly known as Ze Maria hailed from. At the record Kenyan Premier League champions, appointing local coaches to lead the club has become the exception rather than the rule despite having able Kenyan tacticians within their ranks.

OVERLOOKED FOR THE JOB

It is widely expected that current assistant coach Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno, will be overlooked for the job yet he has proved a loyal servant and a key figure during Kerr’s tenure. Taking over in July 2017 with the club hungry to reclaim the title from Tusker, Kerr enjoyed a near perfect second leg where he only lost once as Gor emerged champions.

He profited from Zico’s knowledge of the squad having worked with Ze Maria before the Brazilian was dismissed.

Tasked with finding a new pairing at the back following the departure of Musa Mohammed, Joash Onyango was elevated to the first 11 in the past season.

The emergence of Onyango and Philemon Otieno as regulars for Gor in defence and even featuring for the national team lends credence to Zico’s reputation of building teams that are solid at the back.

Having played alongside Gor greats like Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo, Tobias “Jua Kali” Ocholla and Austin “Makamu” Oduor, Zico - a solid fullback in his heydays - had mastered the art of defending and passes it on seamlessly to the playing unit.

His impact in Gor Mahia’s defence was felt as the club conceded only 31 goals and scored a record 71 in the 2018 season which was as a result of more freedom to the forwards granted by the solid base at the back. In his last season as head coach of a KPL club, Zico guided Posta Rangers to a fourth place finish with 45 points, 16 behind 2016 champions Tusker. Again, his team was among the best defensive sides as the mailmen only conceded 15 with only Gor Mahia doing better at 14.

He came to within touching distance of the title in 2010 while in charge of a young Gor Mahia side he inherited from James Siang’a while still at the development stage. Ulinzi Stars won the title that year, beating Gor by only three points. He was sacked unceremoniously the following year having been overwhelmed by his two roles as head coach of Gor and the national football team Harambee Stars.

However, under his guidance, Anthony Akumu emerged as a solid defensive midfielder, George Odhiambo won the 2010 Player of the Year gong, Eric Masika, Kevin Omondi and Musa Mohamed matured into first team regulars.

While he might not be considered for the vacant role, Zico is a safe gamble especially with the club facing a transitional season and a favourable Caf Champions League draw. With limited time to have a proper preseason, Gor needs a coach who understands the current playing unit. Working under Ze Maria and Kerr has certainly changed Zico’s approach to matches especially his attacking tactics. Add that to his solid defensive approach, then Gor Mahia have an able replacement for Kerr in Zico.

Spanish giants Real Madrid have demonstrated that grooming coaches through their youth teams to later take over the senior team is a worthy investment.

After learning the ropes at Real Madrid Castilla, Zinedine Zidane was appointed as head coach of the senior team. He was Carlo Ancelotti's assistant when the Italian delivered La Decima (the Spanish giant's 10th Champions League title) in 2014 and later won a hat-trick of Champions League titles as boss. Similarly, Santiago Solari was recently confirmed as head coach at the Bernabeu after a spell at Castilla.

Having proven to be head and shoulders above the rest in the KPL, Gor’s focus should now turn to the continental scene. The narrative that only a foreign coach can handle Gor Mahia has been overtaken by events. AS Vita of Congo have kept faith in Florent Ibenge and he has delivered with time.

A major highlight of his career was leading Vita to the 2014 Caf Champions League final where they lost on away goals after a 3-3 aggregate score in the final against Algeria’s ES Setif. Down South, Pitso Mosimane has transformed Mamelodi Sundowns to a force to reckon with in the continental scene having won the Champions League in 2016.

Zico’s spells as an assistant under Kerr and Ze Maria have served to galvanise him to the pressure and demands of coaching at the highest level. Gor’s search for their next coach should start at home before a foreigner is considered for the job. In fact, they should look no further than Zico! He might just be their Ibenge or Mosimane.