Wanderers unveil coach Gerald Phriri: Offer him 2-year contract
Mighty Wanderers FC has offered a two-year contract to Gerald Phiri who was unveiled as head coach to the players and the rest of the technical panel on Tuesday at Nomads’ training venue, BAT Ground, in Blantyre.
Phiri has replaced Stuart Mbolembole who resigned at the start of the season.
The Nomads invited Charles Manda as caretaker coach after the resignation of Mbolembole.
The appointment of Phiri follows a deadlock with their preferred choiceManda, Football Association of Malawi (FAM), Technical Officer after his employers said he was tied by the contract at the association.
Wanderers have instead offered Manda a lesser involving role assistant coach to Phiri.
Phiri, who was technical director for Chikhwawa United, said he was “delighted” to be coaching the blues.
Nomads general secretary Mike Butao said they have offered Phiri, who is also assistant coach for the Under-20 national team, “ a two-year deal”.
Butao said the two parties have agreed terms.
The Nomads chairman George Chamangwana said Phiri, was capable of handling the team having vast experience as player and coach since MDC United in the late 80s and early 90s.
“We have settled for Gerrard Phiri because Football Association of Malawi (FAM) put its foot down not to let us have Charles Manda on full time basis,” Chamangwana said.
He said Phiri had the tall order of turning around the fortunes of the team currently struggling for form.
“We expect Gerrard and Charles Manda to bring back glory to the team at the end of the season,” he said.
Phiri, who was accused as Wanderers sympathiser by Bullets while at serving for the People’s Team, said it was a challenge for him to take charge of the team.
“It’s an honour that I have been considered take charge of Wanderers because it is one of the country’s biggest clubs in the country,” he said.
Wanderers have played four games in the TNM Super League losing two drawing one and winning one.
The Nomads gave Phiri the platform to showcase his talents in the 1980s where he rose to become a classy forward before he moved to Railways United and then MDC United.
Phiri also served as Wanderers assistant coach at some point. In the past two seasons, Phiri was an assistant coach at Big Bullets where he became head coach towards the end of last season.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :