Okere pens emotional message as he exits Tusker FC
Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 17.02.26. | 07:37
Frenchman Julien Mette has been appointed the new head coach, while Anthony Kimani, Harambee Stars assistant coach, will serve as the new assistant coach
Tusker FC tactician Charles Okere has confirmed his departure from the 12-time Kenyan league champions, bringing an end to a journey that saw him rise from assistant coach to head coach.
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Okere departs amid mounting pressure following a challenging season in which Tusker have struggled for consistency, losing 8 of their 20 league matches.
The poor run placed the club ninth on the FKF Premier League table with 28 points, 15 behind leaders Gor Mahia.
The club’s troubles reached a tipping point in January following a humiliating 4–0 loss to AFC Leopards, prompting chairman Charles Gacheru to signal that changes were imminent.
"We have been patient and provided every support needed, but we are still losing matches and failing to find consistency. At this point, change is inevitable,” Gacheru told Mozzart Sport, emphasizing the need to restore Tusker’s proud standards.
Okere’s last match in charge came on Saturday, when Tusker fell 3–1 to Mathare United at the Police Sacco Grounds.
His assistant, George Maina, has also departed the club.
Okere took to social media to reflect on his time with the Brewers, sharing a heartfelt statement that captured both pride in his achievements and gratitude toward the club that had become his second home:
"Every journey has its season, and mine with Tusker FC has now come to an end. Since arriving in 2018 as an assistant coach, this club has been more than just a workplace; it has been family. Together, we celebrated two league titles, overcame countless challenges, and built memories that will remain with me for a lifetime."
He went on to highlight the personal growth he experienced during his tenure:
"From serving as an assistant coach to leading the Youth Team and eventually stepping up to the senior team, it has been a journey of growth, resilience, and immense learning. While not every chapter unfolded exactly as planned, that is the nature of both football and life: a blend of triumphs and trials. I choose to carry forward the victories, the lessons, and the invaluable experiences."
Expressing deep gratitude to the Tusker family, Okere concluded:
"I am deeply grateful to everyone who walked this path with me: the players, technical staff, management, supporters, and every member of the Tusker family. Your support, your criticism, and your encouragement have all shaped me in meaningful ways. I wish the club nothing but continued success for the remainder of the season and beyond. Tusker FC will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever remain a supporter, even from the outside. God bless you all. God bless Tusker FC."
Frenchman Julien Mette has been appointed the new head coach, while Anthony Kimani, Harambee Stars assistant coach, will serve as the new assistant coach.
Mette attended Saturday’s match against Mathare United as part of his induction, signaling the start of a new era at the club.
Mette brings vast experience in African football, having coached Tongo FC, the Djibouti national team, AS Otoho, and Rwanda’s Rayon Sports, guiding Djibouti to their first-ever FIFA World Cup group stage qualification.
At Tusker, Mette and Kimani face the task of reviving the club’s league campaign and mounting a serious challenge for the Mozzart Bet Cup, the Brewers’ most realistic shot at silverware this season. Mette’s first assignment will be against Shabana FC this weekend.
