OFFICIAL PRESS STATEMENT: Coach McKinstry appointed to lead the Uganda National Football Team until 2022 (30 Sep 2019).

Coach McKinstry at the FUFA press launch in Kampala, Uganda.

 

Coach McKinstry has been unveiled as the new Head Coach of the Uganda National Football team - the Uganda 'Cranes'.

Currently ranked 80 in the FIFA World Rankings, Coach McKinstry is taking on one of the top international positions in Africa. With this appointment he becomes the first person from Northern Ireland to be Head Coach / Manager of three different international men's football teams.

A team on the rise, in recent years the Cranes have secured qualification for AFCON (2017, 2019) and reached the first knock-out round (2019) - having not qualified for AFCON for the previous 40 years.

Appointed on a 3 year contract to maintain this progress and make Uganda a more competitive force at future tournaments, his task will also include developing and embedding a winning culture that can drive Uganda forward towards future tournament and World Cup qualification.

Commenting on the appointment Coach McKinstry said:

"I am honoured to be asked by FUFA to become Head Coach of the Uganda Cranes, and excited to work with an excellent group of players. Together we will work to raise the level of performances and secure results.

My objective will be to take the best of what is already there and combine it with both new talent and new working practices to improve performance. With effort and application we can maximise both individual and team potential in the months and years ahead."

Asked to comment on the CHAN and AFCON matches that will take place of the next few weeks, Coach McKinstry responded:

"Time is limited, so players and staff will we need to be proactive and work to our best to ensure we are prepared for the immediate challenges. It is vital that we get to work straight away. While substantial improvement will take time to bed in, we will first focus on preparing for the second leg of the CHAN qualifier with Burundi which is less than 3 weeks away, and then the opening game of AFCON qualification away to Burkina Faso in 6 weeks."

 

Pictures of Coach McKinstry for use in social media can be >>downloaded here<<

 

Coach McKinstry works with players in training (Bangladesh, 2018)

 

Coach McKinstry pitch side in Bangladesh, 2019.

 

  

Notes to Editors

Key Points

• Coach McKinstry is a UEFA Pro Licensed Football Coach. 
• Coach McKinstry has been appointed on a 3 year contract to lead the Uganda 'Cranes' national football team, until 2022.
• His contract covers CHAN 2020, AFCON 2021 and World Cup 2022.

Experience

• Coach McKinstry is a European (UEFA), American (NSCAA) and university qualified football coach.
• Previously he was International Manager and Head Coach of the Rwanda National Football Team (2015-16). He led Rwanda to a number of highs - including their first ever appearance in the knockout stages of a major international tournament (Quarter-finals of CHAN, Jan 2016) and finished runner-up in CECAFA (Dec 2105), being named 'Coach of the Tournament' for his efforts. For more information see www.johnnymckinstry.com/amavubi
• He was also Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Men's Football team (2013-14). Within just over a year, he had led Sierra Leone to their highest ever FIFA World and African rankings - 7th in Africa and 50th in the World (August 2014).  For more information see www.johnnymckinstry.com/leonestars
• Most recently he has been Head Coach of Saif Sporting Club, Bangladesh Premier League (2018-19) - www.johnnymckinstry.com/saifsporting; and FK Kauno Zalgiris, Lithuanian A-Lyga (2017-18).  During his time in charge as Head Coach, Saif Sporting Club equalled the Club's highest ever league finish (4th) and secured it's best performance in BFF Independence Cup (quarter finals). He also led the team to set a number of new club records: Most Points in a league season; Most Wins in a league season; Most Goals Scored in a league season.

Other Points of Interest

• With this appointment, he becomes the first person from Northern Ireland to manage three international men's football teams. From Northern Ireland, the following have managed two international sides - Billy Bingham: NI & Greece; Billy Cook: Peru & Iraq. The same point is also true across the island of Ireland as a whole, where the list who have managed two international sides extends to include Joe Kinnear: India & Nepal; Brian Kerr: ROI & Faroe Islands.
• Coach McKinstry is a member of 'Common Goal'. Together members seek to support high-impact organisations that harness the power of football to advance the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. See https://www.common-goal.org/About
• The United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals: In 2015, world leaders agreed to 17 goals for a better world by 2030. These goals have the power to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change. Guided by the goals, governments, businesses, civil society and the general public can work together to build a better future for everyone. See https://www.globalgoals.org/ 

More News

Visit www.johnnymckinstry.com/ugandacranes