Gor Mahia coach Jose Marcelo Ferreira “Ze Maria” is on his way out of the 15-times Kenyan Premier League champions due to “frustrations”, according to sources.
The Brazilian, who succeeded Scotsman Frank Nuttall in March 2016, is said to be “upset” and “frustrated” that the club chairman Mr. Ambrose Rachier has been dodging him over his salary arrears and other monies the club owes him.
“He has been trying to reach Rachier in vein. They were supposed to meet after returning from Tanzania but the chairman has been unreachable,” a close source told Soka25east.com.
Ze Maria returned from leave to guide Gor in the Sunday final of the inaugural Sportpesa Super Cup, where they beat arch rivals AFC Leopards 3-0 to lift the cup in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
His deputy Zedekiah Otieno “Zico” had been in charge from the start of the tournament at the quarterfinal level.
Unfavorable welfare of players is another area where the 1996 Olympic bronze medalist is unhappy about.
According to one source, Ze Maria has already bought air ticket back home and could leave the country Thursday. Efforts by his physical trainer Sandro Fantoni to persuade him otherwise are said to have fallen on deaf ears.
Despite failing to defend the KPL title last year and going the whole season without lifting any title, Ze Maria has had a better start to the current season.
He has already bagged two trophies and the team is currently top of the table standings.
Ze Maria’s cellphone is off and efforts to reach club officials for comments have been futile.
