The race to become the next head coach of FKF Premier League giants Gor Mahia is heating up, with the club honing in on a select few from a pool of international candidates.

K’Ogalo are on the lookout for a worthy successor to Johnathan McKinstry, who recently accepted the role of head coach for The Gambia national team.

The club has reportedly been inundated with applications, receiving over 53 inquiries for the prestigious role.

From this extensive pool, only ten candidates have made the initial cut, reflecting a rigorous selection process that prioritizes experience and success on the continental stage.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier shared insights into the meticulous nature of their search.

“We have taken our time perusing their CVs to ensure we come up with the best from the long list. We were interested in their past performances and their level of coaching with various teams or countries,” told Citizen Digital.

In a strategic move, Gor Mahia has decided to exclude any coach who has previously worked in the country, aiming for fresh perspectives and approaches.

“We have so far shortlisted ten coaches out of the long list of 53 applicants. We will be done with the process by the end of the week, but will only unveil the new coach after bidding farewell to McKinstry,” Rachier explained.

The new coach will likely be introduced after June 23, coinciding with Gor Mahia’s last match in the FKF Premier League.

McKinstry’s tenure at Gor Mahia has been notably successful, marked by the club’s record 21st league title win this season.

His leadership not only secured back-to-back FKF Premier League titles but also revived Gor Mahia’s stature in Africa.

The incoming coach will face the immediate challenge of leading the team at the CECAFA Kagame Cup, which starts on July 6, in Tanzania and Zanzibar.

This will be followed by participation in an invitational tournament in Enugu, Nigeria.