KAMPALA: Northern Irish UEFA Pro licensed football manager Johnathan McKinstry has been named the new Uganda Cranes head coach on a three year contract.
McKinstry has coached in several countries; Northern Ireland, England, USA, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Rwanda and Lithuania. 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.
“We selected a coach who fits in our vision of being the no. 1 footballing nation in Africa on and off the pitch” FUFA CEO Edgar Watson said during a special press conference on Monday morning.
In December 2017 McKinstry was shortlisted by the Ugandan FA for their national team manager position before Desabre was appointed.
The 34-year-old Irishman’s first match in charge will be the 2020 CHAN qualifier against Burundi in the second leg at the StarTimes stadium in October.
He has so far managed 72 games, winning 30, drawn 12 and lost 30 in his managerial career. He has been the Head Coach of Bangladesh Football Premier League team Saif SC.
Police FC head coach Abdallah Mubiru together with Onduparaka’s Livingstone Mbabazi have been in charge of the national team since Desabre’s departure.
