Gor Mahia head coach Steven Pollack leaves perennial KPL champs

Gor Mahia fans at Kasarani during a past match. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Perennial Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia have parted ways with head coach Steven Pollack on "mutual agreement."

K’Ogalo chairman Ambrose Rachier confirmed Pollack’s departure ahead of the new season amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Rachier said that the club came to an agreement with the coach and thanked him for his services.

“We can confirm that the club has parted ways with coach Steven Pollack on mutual agreement. 

"We had a discussion with him and received a letter as well to facilitate the agreement. We would like to thank him for his time at Gor Mahia,” he said in a statement seen by The Standard Sport on Friday.

Gor Mahia FC coach Steven Pollack instructs his charges against Aigle Noir The Fighters from Burundi during their CAF Total Champions League 2019/20 match at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi on August 25, 2019. [Photo/Stafford Ondego/www.sportpicha.com]

According to Pollack, economic challenges which affected clubs and businesses across the world due to Covid-19, made him leave the Kenyan club.

“The club and I have come to a mutual agreement to terminate my contract due to the economic downturn and Coronavirus pandemic which is not only affecting Gor Mahia but also other clubs and businesses across the world,” The Finish said In a letter.

Pollack, who led the team through to 2019/2020 season, thanked the team and fans for the support throughout his tenure.

“I would like to say thank you to the club for giving me the opportunity to coach Gor Mahia. I enjoyed working with all staff and all players. I thank them for their hard work… And of course, supporters – you can’t have a club without them…. they are unbelievably the best in Kenya and I really appreciate their support,” Pollack pointed out.

K’Ogalo’s secretary-general Samuel Ocholla wished the tactician success in his future endeavours.

“We are in receipt of your resignation letter…. The Executive Committee, management and our fans wish you all the best in your endeavours,” Ocholla concluded.

Gor confirmed last month that Pollack went back to Finland for holiday ahead of the 2020/21 season.

Gor’s vice chairman Francis Wasuna said Pollack requested for the holiday ahead of the much-anticipated resumption of football action in the country.

Gor chairman Ambrose Rachier. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Pollack took over K’Ogalo after tactician Hassan Oktay resigned in August 2019.

Pollack is a former head coach of Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko and has coached several clubs in Europe and West Africa including FC Inter Turku in Finland as well as Berekum Chelsea FC in Ghana.

The 58-year-old is best remembered for guiding Berekum to the domestic cup title when they won the Ghana President Cup in the 2016/17 season.