Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry confident he’ll stay after winning FKF PL
By Collins Amanga, June 26, 2023Gor Mahia Head Coach Johnathan McKinstry remains confident that he will continue in his role after leading the team to reclaim the FKF Premier League title.
Despite rumours suggesting he would leave the club at the end of the season, McKinstry believes he will retain his position.
Gor Mahia under pressure
The pressure on the coach intensified as Gor Mahia faltered in their recent fixtures, including a disappointing 3-2 loss to Kakamega Homeboyz.
This defeat dealt a blow to their title aspirations. However, McKinstry weathered the storm and guided Gor Mahia to a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over Nairobi City Stars, effectively sealing the title and shutting out Tusker from the race.
This triumph on the final day of the season marked Gor Mahia’s third such victory in 13 years, with their previous two final-day wins occurring in 2014 and 2015 when they also won the league.
When questioned about his future with the club, McKinstry expressed his confidence in staying, stating that winning the league indicates they are ahead of schedule.
Mckinstry on Gor Mahia stay
He emphasized that his initial goal was to bring Gor Mahia back on track, as there were various off-field issues when he assumed the role.
“Absolutely, I see no reason why not. We are ahead of schedule, when I came here it was not about winning the league this season,” he said after the win.
“In January we said we wanted to win the league, yes but we understood where were were off the field.
“The transfer ban, transfer issues and a lot of things off the field were to be solved. I came in and it was a multi of projects to get us back to being champions,” he added.
McKinstry, at just 38 years old, has made a notable name for himself in global and African football as the first coach from Northern Ireland to manage three international teams.
McKinstry success
He has previously coached Uganda, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, and in 2013, he led the Sierra Leone national football team to their highest-ever FIFA World Ranking position.
With an impressive win percentage of 51% across his international coaching roles, McKinstry holds the best-winning record in international football among individuals from Northern Ireland.
His coaching career has spanned several countries, including Northern Ireland, England, the United States, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, Lithuania, and Bangladesh.
Early in his career, McKinstry focused on elite youth development, working with prestigious organizations such as Newcastle United, New York Red Bulls, the Right to Dream Academy, and the Craig Bellamy Foundation.
He joined Uganda in July 2022 following the exit of Andreas Spiers. He joined the side after a stint in Uganda.
Uganda Cranes move
McKinstry took on the role of head coach for the Uganda national football team on September 30, 2019, signing a three-year contract. He replaced Sébastien Desabre, a French national who had joined Pyramids FC of Egypt.
McKinstry’s appointment came after a thorough selection process that involved 137 applicants, including renowned coach Hugo Broos, who had won the Africa Cup of Nations.
The decision to appoint McKinstry was based on his alignment with the vision of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) to make Uganda the leading football nation in Africa.
McKinstry wasted no time in outlining his objectives for the team. He not only aimed to guide Uganda back to the Africa Cup of Nations but also harboured ambitions of leading the team to their first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
His appointment was met with great enthusiasm and high expectations from both the federation and Ugandan football fans.
🟢 | CHAMPIONS
— GOR MAHIA FC (@OfficialGMFC) June 26, 2023
Good morning CHAMPIONS 🏆
20 league titles sio mchezo. We truly appreciate the work of our players. To our fans, you are the real deal – thanks for your massive support 👏👏 #Sirkal | #GorFansClub | 📸 – Courtesy pic.twitter.com/Z2tCaoXZY8
Under McKinstry’s guidance, Uganda achieved success in the 2019 CECAFA Cup. The team emerged victorious, winning all six matches throughout the tournament. This triumph further solidified McKinstry’s reputation as a capable and successful coach.
However, on April 19, 2021, it was announced by the Federation of Uganda Football Associations that McKinstry and the organization had reached an agreement to part ways after 18 months.
Despite the relatively short tenure, McKinstry left a significant impact, achieving a remarkable 67% win rate in 18 games.
His record included 12 wins, 3 draws, and only 3 defeats, making him the most successful Uganda national team coach in terms of wins and undefeated matches in over 15 years.