Francis Kimanzi, who stepped down as Tusker FC coach on October 14, 2015. PHOTO/File
NAIROBI, December 14- Former Harambee Stars head coach, Francis Kimanzi, is relishing his return to SportPesa Premier League side Mathare United after the club confirmed his appointment on Monday.
Kimanzi who had a difficult two-season spell with local giants Tusker FC, leaving the Brewers before the end of the last campaign, famously led the Slum Boys to the 2008 league title in their finest hour to date.
“I was available to take up the offer and I accepted,” the UEFA B coaching license holder told Capital Sport following his appointment.
Kimanzi who led Stars to the final group phase qualifiers of the 2010 Fifa World Cup before he was relieved of his duties left Mathare in 2009 when he was slapped with a nine-month suspension by the Kenyan Premier League to pursue his coaching badges in Netherlands.
He returned to the local top flight with Sofapaka whom he led to third place before taking the Tusker job where he left after they struggled to reclaim the crown they last won in 2012.
Before his departure from Mathare, Kimanzi expressed disappointment in lack of investment in the squad after Zambia’s Zesco United completed a 5-2 win on aggregate in the 2009 CAF Champions League preliminary phase.
“At the time, the club was involved in continental action and needed investment but now, the first aim is to make an impact in the Premier League then build from there.
“It is too early to speak of any plans since the season is on break but once the squad resumes training, I will have a better idea,” he added.
His successor at the Slum Boys, Salim Ali is his designated assistant with Stanley Okumbi who quit in the middle of the second half of the season only to rescind his decision hours later paving way for the duo.
“The immediate job is to start the process of returning the team where it belongs and I want to laud my predecessor for the good job he did with the team,” Kimanzi is quoted by SuperSport.com in paying tribute to Okumbi.
