Gor Mahia sack head coach Sinisa Mihic, Zico takes charge

Gor Mahia head coach Sinisa Mihic during the Mashemeji Derby press conference ahead of the highly anticipated clash on Sunday, March 30, 2025 at Nyayo Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard

Gor Mahia FC yesterday announced the departure of head coach Sinisa Mihic after just three months in charge, citing mutual agreement amid a challenging period for the club.

Zedekiah Otieno now takes over as interim coach as the perennial Kenyan champions aims to turn around a declining season.

Mihic, a Croatian tactician, took the reins at Gor Mahia on February 3, 2025, amid high expectations from their passionate fanbase and a storied history as Africa's most successful football club.

However, his brief spell was marred by inconsistent results and internal tensions. During his time at the helm, Gor managed eight wins, five draws, and suffered two defeats in 14 league games. Notably, they reached the FKF Cup semi-finals after beating Kariobangi Sharks 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

The club's recent form has been worrying, with only two wins in their last five league matches, including a recent 2-1 loss to Nairobi City Stars-currently battling relegation-and a goalless draw against Murang'a Seal. These results have left Gor Mahia seven points behind league leaders Police FC, with just a few fixtures remaining and hopes of the title fading fast.

While Gor Mahia did not publicly specify the exact reasons for Mihic's departure, sources close to the club suggest internal conflicts played a role. Reports indicate strained relations between Mihic, his coaching staff, and players, with fans raising questions about his tactical decisions and technical knowledge. Tensions came to a head when a viral video depicted a heated argument between Mihic and his assistants. This disagreement was followed by Mihic's decision to expel the assistant coaching staff from training sessions.

The atmosphere worsened during a league game against Sofapaka on April 19, when Mihic, who was serving a one-match touchline ban, stormed out during the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw. He also had a notable fallout with his coaching team and was visibly frustrated after a string of poor results, including a recent heavy defeat.

Despite the turbulence, Mihic's record saw some positives. Under his leadership, Gor Mahia reached the semi-finals of the FKF Cup unbeaten, netting 12 goals without conceding a single goal across four games. The team's last league victory came on May 4 with a narrow 1-0 win over Shabana FC.

In light of the coaching change, the club has appointed Zico, with assistant coaches Michael Nam and Zedekiah Otieno sharing responsibilities.