Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has resigned, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced.
Speaking on Wednesday, December 11, newly elected FKF President Hussein Mohamed confirmed that Firat had officially terminated his contract through a formal notice issued earlier in the week.
“I would like to point out that the national coach terminated his contract through a notice issued at the beginning of this week. It was important for us to inform Kenyans that, as we speak today, he has opted to end his contract with the federation,” Hussein stated during a press briefing.
On the recruitment of Firat’s successor, Hussein emphasized that the process would be merit-based.
“If you ask me, the selection will be purely on merit. The person must have the required credentials, and I think performance will also be a key consideration,” he added.
“Whether the coach will be local or foreign will be determined by the team tasked with overseeing the recruitment process,” he explained.
Firat, a Turkish football manager, served as Harambee Stars’ head coach from September 2021 until his resignation. During his tenure, he oversaw 23 matches, achieving 7 wins, 7 draws, and 9 losses, resulting in a win rate of approximately 30.4%.
Despite challenges such as delayed wages and mounting public criticism over the team’s performance, Firat expressed his commitment to improving Kenyan football throughout his tenure.
“As a coach, sometimes your choices depend on what suits you best. You might go for money, comfort, or even a challenge,” Firat remarked during a previous interview.
Before joining Harambee Stars, Firat had a successful coaching career, including leading Saipa to victory in the Iran Pro League.
