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Brazilian coach Ze Maria quits Gor Mahia


Not even the allure of playing English Premier League club Everton next month was enough for Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira to stay longer at the club.

The Brazilian trainer abruptly quit his job on Thursday, barely 14 months after his appointment. In the wake of his exit, former Kenya international Zedekiah “Zico” Otieno has been drafted as the stand-in coach.

In a letter to Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, the Brazilian thanked the club for giving him the opportunity to serve the team but did not give reasons for his decision to quit the club.

“Dear Mr President, I hereby submit my resignation request, so terminate my contract from the position of the Head Coach I have held since March 2016 to date,” he said in the letter.

“Thank you for the consideration and trust given to me by the club, throughout my working period here.”

Ze Maria has quit alongside his Brazilian assistant Marcos Aurelio even though another Brazilian on the bench, fitness trainer Sandro Fantoni is reportedly staying put.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier on Thursday confirmed receipt of Marcelo’s resignation letter.

ACCEPTED RESIGNATION

“The coach has written us a very wonderful letter and asked to leave. We have accepted the resignation. Zico takes over and we will convene an emergency executive meeting to discuss what next,” said Rachier.

Marcelo’s departure isn’t quite surprising according to club insiders.

It is reported that the former Brazilian international had fallen out with senior officials at the club, chiefly owing to consistent delays in receiving his dues.

As a matter of fact, the ex-Inter Milan defender went on strike last March, demanding he be refunded his Visa dues and other allowances accrued during his off the season trip to Brazil.

In his firt season at the club, Ze Maria relinquished the league and domestic title to Tusker, but but redeemed himself by clinching the KPL Super Cup as his side beat the brewers in the season curtain raiser earlier this year.

His last assignment at the club was the final of the inaugural SportPesa Super Cup tourney in Tanzania on Sunday, where he guided Gor Mahia to the title after a 3-0 win over arch-rivals AFC Leopards at Uhuru Stadium.

He, however leaves the club top of the standings after 13 rounds of matches. Gor Mahia will face Everton in a highly billed friendly on July 13.