This archive report was first published on 6 August 2019.
Gor Mahia coach Hassan Oktay has resigned, effective August 6, 2019, due to personal challenges he is facing in Europe.
Oktay, who joined Gor Mahia in December 2018, had requested the club to grant him permission to attend to personal matters back at home.
"Kindly accept my resignation as Gor Mahia FC head coach effective today, the sixth day of August 2019. As you are aware, the decision has been forced on me by the personal challenges I am facing here in Europe," Oktay wrote in his resignation letter.
He expressed gratitude to the club and its fans for the opportunity to manage Gor Mahia, wishing them the best in their future endeavors.
Oktay's resignation has been triggered by the need to be close to his ailing parents and siblings in Turkey, a condition that weighed heavily on him, especially after guiding Gor Mahia to a record-extending 18th league title last term.
His departure means the Kenyan champions must move quickly to replace him before their Caf Champions League first-round clash against Burundi's Aigle Noir on Sunday, as assistant coach Patrick Odhiambo does not have the required Caf A coaching license.