Ten foreigners make shortlist for Kenya coach
PHOTO | CHRIS OMOLLO | FILE Football Kenya Federation chairman Sam Nyamweya (L) and former Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi. Nyamweya has said the Harambee Stars head coach vacancy has attracted more than 60 foreigners, most of them with very good credentials.
What you need to know:
Three Serbs, three Frenchmen, a German, two Belgians and an Algerian in the race
Ten foreign coaches have made the shortlist for the head coach of the national football team Harambee Stars.
The shortlist includes three Serbs, three Frenchmen, a German, two Belgians and an Algerian.
According to sources within Football Kenya Federation (FKF), it is Frenchman Henri Michel who stands the best chance.
Despite his vast experience in coaching African teams, however, Michel may be locked out by his asking signing fee and salary although FKF is in talks with the government, through the Prime Minister’s Office, and corporate bodies to help finance the salaries of a strong technical bench.
The post fell vacant after Francis Kimanzi was moved to the position of acting technical director of FKF. Under him, Kenya flopped in the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup, lost out in the race for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and looks set to miss out in the 2014 World Cup.
The list also has Raymond Domenech, who coached France between 2004 and 2010, including taking them to the 2006 World Cup Finals where they lost to Italy.
On Thursday, FKF chairman Sam Nyamweya said the post attracted more than 60 foreigners, most of them with very good credentials.
Top coaches apply
“We are shocked at the kind of interest the post has attracted,” said Nyamweya. “We got applications from coaches in top countries, including Brazil and Argentina.
“I can assure Kenyans that we will go for the best affordable coach who will be ready to work and turn around the country’s football fortunes.”
Kenya lies 126th in the world, its worst ranking ever, and the team continues to plummet. But FKF is optimistic Kenya will rise from the ashes.
Shortlisted foreigners for Kenya coach:Ratomir Djukovic, Miodrag Dujkovic, Kikovic Milenko (Serbia), Luc Eymael, Tom Saintfiet (Belgium), Claude Leroy, Raymond Domenech, Henri Michel (France), Oto Pfister (Germany), Adel Amrouche (Algeria)
