This archive report was first published on 17 June 2020.
Former Harambee Stars captain Robert Mambo has expressed interest in coaching the national team in the future, but only if certain issues are addressed.
Currently the Head Coach at Swedish Division Two side FC Gute, Mambo has a Uefa B License B coaching badge and is looking forward to undertaking License A and Pro classes soon.
"It will really be an honor for me to coach Kenya in the future," Mambo said in an interview. "I played for Harambee Stars for over a decade and really had a good time. I would therefore gladly offer my coaching services and experience to the country of my birth."
However, Mambo emphasized that several issues need to change before he considers coaching Harambee Stars, including integrity issues at Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and corruption, favoritism, and unprofessionalism in Kenyan football.
"A coach needs a very conducive working environment and supportive football ecosystem to succeed," Mambo added. "I have picked very valuable lessons as a coach and player in Europe and I am hoping to one day serve Kenya, a country that I am very proud of."
Despite taking over the reins at FC Gute in January this year, Mambo was only in charge of his first official league game over the weekend.
"The coronavirus pandemic halted very many plans," Mambo said. "We have trained as a team for nearly six months without playing any matches. It has been a very difficult time but am very glad that we have finally kicked off our league campaign. I am hoping to guide the team to promotion this season."
Mambo still follows Kenyan football closely and has helped several Kenyan footballers land deals in Europe.
"I always encourage Kenyan players to be patient," Mambo said. "I played football across all tiers in Kenya before I moved to Europe. From the sub-county level, county, provincial up to the Kenyan Premier League. I have noticed most Kenyan footballers nowadays want to move to Europe very quickly even before they establish themselves in Kenya - that's not the way it works."
"I have assisted several female Kenyan footballers to secure moves to Sweden and I am always on the lookout for special talent from my motherland that I can help bring here for trials or direct deals with clubs that I am in contact with," Mambo concluded.
