If asked to name the most successful Gor Mahia coaches in recent times, I am spoiled for choices because honestly the team has enjoyed a lot of success winning four of the past five KPL titles albeit under different managers.
It all started in 2013, when Gor went for former Uganda Cranes coach Bobby Williamson. In his first season, the spectacled tactician lead Gor to their first title in 18 years 10 points ahead of local rivals AFC Leopards.
And that signaled the beginning of better things for the club. In came Frank Nuttal who had very little coaching knowledge. But he is regarded as the most successful Gor coach in recent times.
Under Nuttal, Gor were unbeaten on their way to winning the 2015 KPL title. They also won the Super Cup and the KPL top eight tournament. They also reached the finals of the CECAFA club competition.
But non of those has made an impact like current coach Dylan Kerr, who lives and breathes K’ogalo. Kerr is not just a manager, he has also cemented his name as a fan favorite and one of the club’s biggest defenders.
The coach cemented his place as a legend in the history of the club when he revealed that he had turned down good offers to remain with the Kenyan Champions.
The stylish tactician say he is at Gor Mahia to stay until the club chairman decides otherwise. “Look, I have had three offers in the last two months that were financially good for me to leave Gor Mahia but I rejected them. I respect contracts and I have never gone against any contract,” Kerr told a local media house
“Football is strange but I like Kenya and the people, I am here to stay until the chairperson decides he doesn’t want me.”
From Me pic.twitter.com/nqI0NQhFYK
— Dylan Kerr (@legend3) August 28, 2018
The Englishman now 51, was appointed to lead the local giants in 2016 after the departure of Brazilian Jose Marcelo Ze Maria. Kerr has since won two KPL titles since his arrival, with Gor Mahia just a point away from reaching the quarter-finals of Caf Confederation Cup.
Kerr once again proved his tactical mastermind by defeating rivals AFC Leopards 2-0, to help seal a record 17th title for K’Ogalo . With the local and continental success, Gor Mahia leadership might have a tall order to keep the ‘happy’ coach as it has been evident for most clubs in the world.
Before the derby, Kerr visited Kibera slum, the region with Gor Mahia’s largest fan base where he freely interacted with fans and even took a boda boda ride before turning the tables and riding the boda boda himself, much to the elation of the onlooking K’Ogalo faithful.
“I’m excited that I finally got the chance to come to Kibera,” said Kerr. “Without the fans, the club doesn’t exist and I am grateful for all the times you have been there for me and the team.”
We hope Kerr is here to stay.