Why Muluya is loyal to his philosophy despite Sharks facing relegation threat

Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya has remained defiant in the face of mounting pressure, insisting he will not abandon his football philosophy even as his side continues to flirt with relegation.

Sharks are currently 14th on the Kenyan Premier League table with 26 points, sitting 10 points above bottom-placed Sofapaka F.C, who have 16.

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Despite that cushion, their campaign has been far from convincing, having managed just five wins, alongside 11 losses and a similar number of draws so far this season.

Pressure has been steadily building on Muluya to adapt, especially with results failing to reflect progress.

However, speaking after a barren draw against Gor Mahia F.C on Saturday, 4 April at the Kasarani Stadium, the tactician stood firm on his commitment to a possession-based style of play.

“To me it is a religion, it is a culture, and we are not going to change, and no one is going to change William Muluya. I will not change,” the tactician offered.

He further explained that his approach is not just a matter of preference but also a reflection of the squad at his disposal.

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Kariobangi Sharks have long been known for nurturing young talent, often lacking the physical presence seen in more established sides.

“One thing we need to understand is one of the factors that is making us adopt our style of play is, are we physically having players that are muscular and big enough to fight like the others?” he posed.

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He further questioned whether a shift in approach would even suit the team’s identity, particularly when facing physically dominant opponents.

“Are we not that team that we want to have the inception of young players to the league? So, do you bring in someone like Razel Omondi to change your style of play and do the long balls to defend against Mike Kibwage?” he questioned.

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Despite growing calls for a more pragmatic approach as the season heads into its decisive phase, Muluya remains unwavering, framing any potential shift as something that would only come under extreme necessity.

“So, whether people feel like we have to change our way, it’s their opinion. I was born that way, I came from the same culture and will only change it when necessary,” he added.

Up next, Sharks will welcome Mara Sugar on Sunday, 19 April.