Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League newcomers Shabana FC will have to wait for longer to find a new permanent coach after Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo confirmed he will not take up the vacant role.
The Kisii-based Glamour Boys entered talks to sign the former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars defender following the sacking of Sammy Okoth but Africa Top Sports can exclusively report the deal has officially failed to materialise.
While a source, who did not want to be named confirmed that Shabana had offered Omollo, the former Kenya Police coach, a Ksh40,000 monthly salary which he turned down, the ex-Tusker coach also confirmed to Africa Top Sports he had officially ended negotiations with Tore Bobe: “I am done with negotiating with Shabana, it is true they engaged me (to take up the vacant role) but it is over now,” said Omollo, adding: “I have already moved on and hope to get a better offer in the future.”
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When asked whether Shabana’s offer for the job was way below his expectations, Omollo responded: “I finished with them (negotiating) and moved on; I have nothing to add on that, I wish them well in their future assignments.”
However, we understand that Shabana had offered to pay Omollo a monthly salary of Ksh40,000 to take charge. In a recent interview, a top Tore Bobe official confirmed they were in talks to hire Omollo to take charge of the team after a series of poor results.
“We have indeed engaged Omollo with an offer to take over as our head coach, we are still negotiating and we hope the deal will be sealed before our next league match,” the official, who did not want to be named, said, adding: “We are working on a two-year contract, and if all goes well, he will be in the dugout when we play our next match.”
Apart from Police, where he was shown the exit door after only six matches, the 53-year-old Omollo has also handled Tusker, whom he guided to clinch the league title in the 2012 campaign, Mahakama, Oserian, Gor Mahia, East Bengal in India, KCB, and Posta Rangers.
Shabana are still in the market for a new coach following the sacking of Okoth, who helped the team return to the top-flight after 17 years in the cold. Okoth was fired after nine matches and was replaced by his assistant Oscar Kambona on an interim basis.
Tore Bobe are currently placed 15th on the 18-team log with 11 points from 13 matches.