Rachier says Gor won't rush search for new head coach as 33 apply

Rachier said the club intends to take its time in order to find the right person to lead the record FKF-Premier League winners for the remainder of the season and beyond.

“We have so far received 33 applications from foreign coaches. We are yet to respond to them since we will first sit down and determine what kind of coach can best suit the interests of the club,’’ said Rachier.

The coaching role at Gor fell vacant following the firing of Brazilian tactician Leonardo Martins Neiva after a string of poor results in his four-month reign.

The club supremo also refuted reports linking former coach Dylan Kerr to his return to the club, saying the Maltese-born English football manager and another former coach Hassan Oktay just called to check on him but never requested to come back.

“Kerr just called me and greeted me in Swahili and Luo language but never expressed any interest in the vacant role.’’

Kerr first joined Gor in 2017 and won the league title on his debut and went ahead to retain the title in 2018.

According to Rachier, it is not clear whether Kerr was just sending a signal of his intent to have another stint, but he was clear the Englishman has not shown direct intention.

The chairman has also admitted receiving a call from another former coach, who as well did not directly say he wanted to rejoin Gor Mahia.

The Turkish Cypriot coach Oktay was in charge of Gor in 2019 when Gor beat Zamalek of Egypt 4-2 at Kasarani in the CAF Champions League before the Egyptians returned with a 4-0 revenge in Alexandria a week later.

“Hassan Oktay also called me after the departure of Neiva, but he, as well, never said he wanted to come back. That could be a signal, yes, but so far, we are still brainstorming,’’ added Rachier.

In their first matches with Leonardo Neiva in charge, Gor only managed two wins, two draws and two losses which could have prompted the office to terminate his contract.

Prior to his departure, Neiva had hinted at making an all youthful Gor team come next season. He had fired a warning to old players to prepare for an exit.

Gor is currently under the care of Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno and Michael Nam on an interim basis as the hunt for a new coach is on.

The immediate former Gor Mahia coach prior to the arrival of Neiva Jonathan MC’Kinstry, departed for Gambia at the end of last season to handle the Gambian National team, which eventually failed to qualify for the upcoming AFCON after finishing third in Group A behind Comoros and Tunisia.