Former Harambee Stars tactician Francis Kimanzi has left his post as Mathare United head coach, Mozzart Sport understands.His assistant John Kamau is poised to take over from Kimanzi, who is believed to have an offer from the Tanzania Mainland Premier League.Kimanzi has been with Mathare since the start of the National Super League (NSL) second leg, after taking over from Leonard Odipo.He was instrumental in the club’s swift return to the FKF Premier League, losing only two matches in the 15 he was in charge of.##GEOTARGET_BANNER_8242020##”The coach told me he had an offer from somewhere, and we had to release him. At the moment, John Kamau will be interim coach since they have made this team together and have been conducting preseason as a unit. More information will be unveiled on Wednesday after the team meeting,” said Mathare CEO Jecton Obure.Kimanzi’s third stint at Mathare was different, as Obure confirmed that the UEFA A licensed coach returned to the Slum Boys on his own volition.He clarified that there was no specific deal in place and Kimanzi was solely helping his former side.”As a club alumnus, he came to help the team. There were no terms or anything; he just agreed to help and achieved the target,” added Obure.Reprieve for NSL teams as FKF extends Club Licensing deadline and reduce requirementsKimanzi was first appointed to lead Mathare in 2008. During that season, he helped Mathare clinch the Kenya Premier League title. His first stint at the club ran from 2008 to 2012.After several stints with the national team, where he was unceremoniously sacked in 2013 after failing to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, Kimanzi coached Sofapaka and Tusker FC before returning to Mathare in 2015.Kimanzi stepped down again from his role at Mathare United in 2019 to focus on his then-role on the Harambee Stars technical bench.During that time, he was Sebastien Migne’s assistant and stepped down to help Harambee Stars prepare for their African Nations Championship qualifier against Tanzania.Mathare will be banking on former Posta Rangers gaffer Kamau to navigate them through the tough league waters as they seek improved performance and dominance in the top tier.Will Ian Otieno break Kenya’s ‘curse’ in South Africa?
