Dylan Kerr resigns as Gor Mahia coach

Briton Dylan Kerr has resigned as head coach of Gor Mahia throwing the Kenyan Premier League champions into a spin.

The move has sent shock-waves in Kenya’s football landscape, with barely three weeks left to the start of the 2018/19 KPL season.

The shock announcement, made on the club’s  official website, came in the wake of heightened speculation on the future of the Briton barely days after he guided the club to a landmark friendly match against English Premier League club Everton FC at the Goodison Park where they lost 4-0.

Kerr’s shock exit also comes after he successfully guided the club to a 17th league title and had already embarked on preparing the team ahead of the new KPL season and the forthcoming Caf-Champions League.

Though he had been in the UK prior to and at the time of the announcement, Kerr was still actively involved in the team’s activities albeit from a distance as he sought medical attention in the UK.

Speculation is rife that he is headed to South Africa to head one of the top clubs.

Confirming the resignation, club chairman Ambrose Rachier  said: “I have today received a resignation letter from coach Dylan Kerr. On behalf of the club, l accept the resignation because he has been good and candid enough. As per his letter, he is going for greener pastures and l want to wish him all the best,” Rachier told the club’s website.

In his resignation letter dated 15th November 2018, Kerr indicated that he will be taking another coaching role for the new season and thanked all the club officials.

“With a very sad heart, l have decided to accept another coaching role for the 2018/19 season,” read part of the letter that was addressed to Gor Mahia chairman.

He added: “I want to put on record that l thank you Mr. Chairman for giving me the chance to work with you and more importantly for Gor Mahia FC.”

The coach went ahead to thank Gor Mahia players and urged them to remain focused in their careers.

“To players, all l can say is a thank you for being amazing – everyone played their part with fun, enthusiasm, hard work and most of all belief in what l demanded for both on and off the field. I hope you continue having the vision l constantly told you and always remember no regrets,” continued the letter.

Being one of the fans favourite, Kerr did not not forget to thank Gor Mahia fans.

“The KÓgalo faithful ‘Tibim’ Gorrrr Gorrrr Mahia, forever in my heart, forever family, forever friends you made all this work with your lust for passion on the field and your quest for us to be the best… You are the best.”

Rachier, in return, thanked Kerr for his service. “As a club, we thank him for the level he has taken the club. We truly appreciate his work… he was understanding, respectful and a man of the people l must say. He did his work with passion and that helped the team to deliver good results.”

“As we all know, we have a CAF match coming up on 27th November 2018 in Nairobi… the notice is short and we will not be in a hurry to get a replacement. We will continue with the current technical staff as we take our time to get a suitable replacement,” added the chairman.

Club legend  Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno who has been a loyal Number Two to Kerr is expected to steer the glamour club on interim basis as they seek for a long-term replacement.

Additional materials sourced from Gor Mahia website