Tusker Football Club’s head coach, Robert Matano, has defiantly responded to recent reports suggesting his possible dismissal from the team.
The experienced coach, a prominent figure in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League, made it clear that he is not afraid of the prospect of being sacked.
The rumors about his potential dismissal stemmed from remarks made by Tusker chairman Charles Gacheru.
According to a report in the Nation, Gacheru indicated that Matano might face termination if Tusker loses to Gor Mahia in an upcoming league match scheduled for October 22, 2023, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Responding to these threats during an interview with Nairobi News, Matano displayed his characteristic resolve.
“This is Robert Matano, I’m Robert Matano, This Robert Matano. I don’t succumb to threats,” he stated firmly, repeating his name three times.
He emphasized that he does not operate under ultimatums and does not fear the possibility of being sacked.
“I don’t work with ultimatums; I don’t fear being sacked. He can do it even now. What will he do to me if I decide to leave before Sunday?” posed Matano.
Matano challenged the notion of his job security, questioning what Gacheru would do if Matano decided to leave before the said match against Gor Mahia.
In a candid critique of Gacheru and the club’s management, Matano, 59, revealed his frustration with the situation.
He highlighted the lack of stability in his contracts, citing instances where he was given short-term contracts despite his previous successes with the team.
“After winning the league in 2021, I was given a six-month contract. At the start of last season, I was given a two-month contract with a reason that my performance was being assessed again. This season I’m being given ultimatums again? “he lamented.
Despite the challenges faced by the team, Matano expressed his confidence in the players and their potential.
He noted that the newly signed players had not yet fully integrated into the team, which he attributed to the team’s lackluster performance.
Matano remained optimistic about the team’s improvement, indicating that the issues were transitional and would be resolved.
Currently, Tusker sits in the seventh position on the FKF-PL log, having accumulated eight points from six rounds of matches. The league leaders are Posta Rangers, with 16 points, followed closely by Gor Mahia, who are in second place with 12 points.
