Brazilian Ze Maria is Gor Mahia’s new coach
Brazilian coach, José Marcelo Ferreira “Zé Maria” is expected in the country on Thursday evening ahead of his unveiling on Friday as the coach of Kenyan Premier League champions Gor Mahia.
K’Ogalo’s leadership has handed the 42 year old former right back of the Brazil national team a two-year deal. He’s poised to fly directly from Italy, where he’s domiciled.
Ze Maria’s immediate task will be to steady the K’Ogalo ship which has been rocked following the dramatic exit of Scotsman Frank Nuttall who resigned on Tuesday.
Nuttall in his resignation letter delivered to club boss, Ambrose Rachier on Tuesday, cited the failure by the club to honour its contractual obligations vis-à-vis salary delay and the lack of a four-wheel drive vehicle.
“I have received Nuttall’s resignation letter which was hand delivered to me and he says the environment had made it impossible for him to continue working,” Rachier said on Tuesday.
ZE MARIA’S CAREER
The incoming coach will come along with his fitness coach, whose nationality is still unknown.
According to sources, the agreement is meant to give the new coach a backroom staffer who can get the players to the optimum fitness levels.
Assistant coach, Frank Ouna will however retain his position although the fate of Tom Ogweno, who had been the team’s fitness coach, remains unclear.
Born on 25th July, 1973 in Oeiras, Brazil, Ze Maria earned 25 caps for the Samba Boys and is best remembered as a right back cum midfielder during his playing days.
He turned out for several clubs in his country, most notably, Flamengo and Sociedade Esportiva Palmeiras. He also established himself as a star player in the Italian Serie A, where he turned out for Parma and Inter Milan.
