Gerald Phiri, Nomads contradict on move
Coach Gerald Phiri Snr has contradicted Mighty Wanderers over claims linking him with a move back to Lali Lubani Road.
The Chikhwawa United technical director and Malawi Under-20 national team assistant coach yesterday said no one from the blue side of town has formally approached him.
“Honestly, I just heard about it when I returned from Botswana at the weekend. Otherwise, what I know is that I was told about it in passing by a Wanderers official before their elections. At that time, he said they would offer me a deal if they would be elected into office, that is all,” said Phiri.
“As at now, I am committed to Chikhwawa United unless Wanderers formally approach me and, thereafter, I will have to weigh the options depending on their offer,” he said.
But Nomads vice-general secretary Chris Kananji contradicted Phiri saying: “We already approached him and what remained were some minor issues that awaited his return from Botswana.
“In fact, we had a meeting last night [Tuesday] to discuss the issue and we are hopeful of finalising the deal with him by tomorrow.”
Phiri is set to replace Stuart Mbolembole who resigned at the start of the season. The Nomads eyed Charles Manda as caretaker coach, but his employers, Football Association of Malawi (FAM), have insisted that they cannot allow him to coach any other team be it on interim or permanent basis, unless he resigns.
The Nomads gave Phiri the platform to showcase his talents in the 1980s where he rose to become a classy forward before he moved to Railways United and then MDC United.
Phiri also served as Wanderers assistant coach at some point. In the past two seasons, Phiri was an assistant coach at Big Bullets where he became head coach towards the end of last season.
