Gor Mahia Top Official Reveals Why Local Coaches Are Unlikely to Lead Club

Gor Mahia Chairman Ambrose Rachier has lifted the lid on why Kenya’s most decorated football club is unlikely to appoint a local coach to steer the team, citing a mix of past challenges, licensing limitations and intense scrutiny from the club’s passionate supporters.

The record 21-time Kenyan Premier League champions are currently without a head coach after a sweeping decision by the executive committee to dissolve the entire technical bench.

The bold move also saw the club part ways with CEO Raymond Oruo as part of a larger restructuring aimed at rejuvenating Gor Mahia’s fortunes on and off the pitch.

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Speaking to Radio Citizen, Rachier sought to address growing speculation over who will be entrusted to revive the club’s glory days.

The long-serving football administrator revealed that since assuming office, not a single Kenyan coach has formally applied for the top job at K’Ogalo.

According to him, the role comes with unique demands that many local tacticians prefer to avoid.

“Since I became chairman, I’ve never received a single application from a local coach. This is largely due to the immense pressure associated with managing Gor Mahia, especially from fans who have traditionally favored foreign coaches,” Rachier said.

The chairman also delved into the specific criteria that guide Gor Mahia’s selection process when recruiting a new technical bench. He emphasized that coaching the club requires not only the right credentials but also a clear understanding of the African football landscape.

Rachier disclosed that many of the applications the club receives fail to meet the minimum qualification thresholds.

For any prospective coach to be considered, they must possess elite coaching licenses such as the UEFA Pro or CAF B badges—requirements that automatically disqualify a significant portion of candidates.

“Most of the time, the applicants don’t have UEFA Pro or CAF licenses, which automatically disqualifies them. Others lack experience with African clubs, and even when they meet the requirements, some of their financial demands are simply unaffordable,” he explained.

The financial burden associated with hiring seasoned foreign coaches has also proved to be a stumbling block.

According to Rachier, Gor Mahia has held talks with several qualified tacticians whose salary and benefits packages exceeded the club’s budget by a wide margin.

On the decision to part ways with the entire technical team and the CEO, Rachier was keen to stress that the move was not a blanket termination but rather a strategic reset designed to open the door for fresh ideas while retaining the option to bring back certain individuals.

“This was not a dismissal—it was a dissolution. We have assured them that once we identify a new technical bench, some of them may be retained based on performance and evaluation,” he noted.

The changes come at a crucial time for the club, which has endured a trophyless run and mounting pressure from fans eager to see Gor Mahia reclaim their dominance in local and continental competitions.

Beyond the shake-up of the technical team, the club is also implementing structural reforms to strengthen financial accountability.

Rachier announced that Gor Mahia has now transitioned to a fully digital gate collection system in an effort to curb revenue leakages that have plagued the club for years.

“We’ve switched to an online ticketing system. Gate managers will now oversee digital collections to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.

Rachier reiterated that the focus remains on finding a tactician who not only meets the club’s rigorous standards but also appreciates the cultural and sporting expectations that come with leading Kenya’s most celebrated football institution.