Five coaches pays the price in KPL's thankless job

 

Is the coaching job at Kenyan Premier League clubs becoming too hot for coaches to handle?

With one match remaining before the end of the first leg, five coaches (Frank Nuttall, Moses Irungu, Leonard Odipo, Twahir Muhiddin and James Omondi) have either been shown the door or resigned.

The exit started off in March when Frank Nuttall resigned as Gor Mahia coach. The axe later fell on Moses Irungu at Thika United.

Former Tusker assistant coach Leonard Odipo was then shown the door at Sony Sugar. His assistant Salim Babu replaced him. All the three coaches were let go by their respective employers after a stuttering start to the season.

Last week, Bandari sent Twahir Muhiddin packing and even before the ink has dried on that sacking letter, James Omondi's contract has been terminated by Muhoroni Youth, just days after his side lost 2-1 to Kakamega Homeboyz.

The constant sacking of coaches raises the question of whether clubs are too impatient and whether they are following the laid down procedures in sending home the coaches. With this trend, it remains to be seen who will be the next victim.

But the current situation has saddened Irungu, who criticised Kenyan clubs over their impatience.

“Personally, I rule out the elements of sabotage, but the sacking trend tells a story of how our clubs are managed. We have a problem that must be addressed in terms of administration,” said Irungu.

“To some extent, this trend has affected the national team too. It is not healthy for the growth of our game. Rome wasn’t built in one day and results cannot just be achieved overnight. These coaches have personal targets and objectives and need time for them to deliver.”

On his part, Muhiddin blamed several officials at Bandari for sabotage and believes it is the reason he did not perform well.

“Some officials were out to ensure that I don’t succeed, and I will not be surprised if the team starts winning in my absence,” he said hours after being sacked.

As if to confirm his fears, Bandari defeated Ushuru 4-0 on Saturday.

Omondi said he was fired in the most inhumane manner by Muhoroni Youth.

He told Feverpitch that after their 2-1 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz in Mumias, he was forced to alight from the vehicle in a thicket just kilometres away from the stadium.

“After we lost, they forced me out of the team bus, left me in the thicket at night, it was between 9pm and 9.30pm. I was forced to seek accommodation and went to Muhoroni the following day," said Omondi.

When contacted, Muhoroni chairman Moses Adagala confirmed they had relieved the coach of his duties because he was a 'bad influence to the playing unit', but denied abandoning Omondi along the way.

“Omondi was a bad influence to the players, his conduct was not good and that’s why we sacked him,” said Adagala.

“I am a Christian, I can’t do that to him. He abandoned us, but we’ve made up our mind. Thomas Juma will take over.” 

-Gilbert Wandera, Rodgers Eshitemi and Philip Orwa.