Turkish tactician Engin Firat has resigned as head coach of the Harambee Stars with immediate effect, bringing an end to his three-year tenure at the helm of Kenya’s national football team.

Firat, who was appointed in October 2021, tendered his resignation on Tuesday evening. His last match was Kenya’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a key objective upon his appointment.

The resignation follows a challenging and often controversial period in Firat’s tenure. His leadership was heavily scrutinised, particularly during Kenya’s AFCON qualification campaign, which saw the team suffer defeats to Cameroon, effectively ending their hopes of qualifying. Criticism of his tactics and player selections, including concerns over playing players in unfavorable positions, dominated discussions around his coaching methods.

ALSO READ: Experienced Football Administrator Musonye To Lead CHAN LOC

Firat’s resignation comes shortly after the election of a new leadership team at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), headed by FKF President Hussein Mohammed. Following the announcement, FKF confirmed that the process of identifying a successor would begin immediately through consultations with relevant stakeholders to ensure the team is prepared to kick off its preparations for the upcoming CHAN tournament without delay.

“FKF is committed to managing this transition swiftly and professionally, with plans to appoint a suitable replacement after consultations to ensure timely preparations for CHAN,” said FKF President Hussein Mohammed in an official statement.

As FKF moves quickly to find Firat’s replacement, former Harambee Stars coach Francis Kimanzi is widely tipped to return to the role.