Kenyan Football’s worst kept secret is no secret any more, It’s over, Dylan Kerr’s is no longer manager of Kenya’s most successful Football club. Unless you have been living in a hole, it’s hard to say that this move wasn’t forthcoming. It was always going to be a struggle to keep hold of the highly ranked tactician, especially given the end of season events that saw the players down their tools ( though in a low key manner) owning to unpaid salaries and allowances. That was surely the coffin’s final nail.
During that mini crisis, the team that had previously only lost once in the league, went on it’s worst run of games in years losing 4 in 6, the other two being a win and a draw at home against a Mathare United side that had the worst away form in the league last season. Mind you, Dylann Kerr’s charges had already won the league at the time so the loses meant little in terms of league position.
The implications however weighed more on Kerr’s continental plans, K’Ogallo were still in with a shout at coming out of their CAF Confederation’s group. Any leader at whatever field will gladly inform you that it is very hard for one to motivate a distracted and in Gor Mahia’s case, an undervalued workforce. By the time Club Chairman Ambrose Rachier publicly addressed the issue the Damage had been done.
Gor Mahia were narrowly beaten by Rayon Sports and eventually kicked out of continental action leaving Kerr, his Boys and the ever impressive K’Ogallo faithful to dwell on the’what ifs’.
The losses of key first team members in Meddi Kagere and Godfrey Walusimbi earlier on in the season left glaring holes in Gor Mahia’s starting line up. Make no mistake about it, both players were immensely talented and it was a shame to see them leave in rather bizarre circumstances. Kagere’s case being the most disappointing one as one felt he was one of the few players capable of producing moments of Magic from virtually nowhere, a trait all so vital in continental football.
In the end however, the gulf in class between the record champions and the rest of the domestic league teams was evident as Gor cruised to yet another Kenyan title. Though classy (as he ever was) the coach’s resignation letter comes at a really bad time for the Club.
Malawi outfit Big Bullets are in town on the 27th of November for a CAF Champions League qualifier and Kerr’s experience in this competition would have been important.
The club through the Chairman confirmed that the replacement process will not be rushed, which is how it should be, so it is very likely that the club will not have a definite Head Coach for that clash. Gor Mahia however almost always seem to overcome any obstacle that threatens their local dominance.
As it stands, even without Kerr, Gor Mahia have enough in their ranks to reign supreme in Kenya once more, it is in matters African football where Kerr’s absence will be felt. Unless they find a really top class manager in the mould of Dylan, Gor’s gradually improving continental experience could be over before it really got going!