Gor Mahia appoint former Southampton player Harrison as their new head coach

Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia has officially unveiled Mark Harrison as their new head coach [photo courtesy/Gor Twitter]

Record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia has appointed Mark Harrison as the new head coach.

The Englishman, 60, jetted in last week and has been unveiled to fill up the gap left by Portuguese coach Manuel Vaz Pinto who parted ways with the club recently on mutual consent.

Harrison was at Camp Toyoyo on Saturday last week as Gor Mahia engaged AFC Leopards in a friendly game.

The two local giants played a friendly game after deciding to boycott a Premier League fixture that was scheduled to take place at Thika Stadium

K’Ogalo chairman Ambrose Rachier says they picked Harrison because of his understanding of the African football environment.

The former Southampton and Stoke City player has been in Africa having coached 13 clubs and among them Chippa United and Golden Arrows of South Africa.

He has also been with Zimbabwe’s teams including Harare City and Highlanders FC, as well as Botswana’s Township Rollers.

 “We had many applicants but we decided to pick Harrison as the man as he understands the African football environment having worked with a number of teams previously.”

“Language was another factor we considered as well as experience of the coach,’’ Rachier said according to the club’s website.

Our new coach Mark Harrison officially unveiled... welcome to Gor Mahia coach Harrison.

##Sirkal pic.twitter.com/lS6fYXeamy — ???? - GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) August 2, 2021

Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo who has been handling the team since the departure of Vaz Pinto will remain as the assistant coach.

Harrison played for Southampton between 1977 and 1979, was at Stoke City between 1982 and 1984, and the two clubs are among eight sides he featured for during his active playing career.