The Gambia Football Federation has officially announced the appointment of Johnathan McKinstry as the new head coach of the national team, AfricaSoccer.com can confirm
Johnny, a former Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Rwanda coach, is the current manager of Gor Mahia FC in Kenya and will take over the Scorpions from June 1, 2024.
The UEFA PRO License holder has guided Gor Mahia to clinch the Kenyan Premier League title before departing for the West African country to begin a new adventure.
The 38-year-old replaces Tom Saintfiet, who left the position following Gambia’s exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
The Northern Irish trainer has agreed to a two-year contract, and he has been tasked to qualify The Gambia to the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.
Johnny was in charge of the Uganda national team from September 2019 to June 2022. He has also previously coached Saif SC in Bangladesh and Lithuanian club Kauno Zalgiris.
His early career was focused on elite youth development through roles with Newcastle United, New York Red Bulls, the Right to Dream Academy, and the Craig Bellamy Foundation.
