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Briton appointed Simba SC coach

Dylan Kerr, the new Simba SC head coach

What you need to know:

Kerr, 48, takes over from Goran Kopunovic who parted ways with the Msimbazi Reds a few months ago after he ended his season at the club without a trophy.

Dar es Salaam. Mainland giants Simba SC have named Briton Dylan Kerr as their new head coach on a one-year contract.

Kerr, 48, takes over from Goran Kopunovic who parted ways with the Msimbazi Reds a few months ago after he ended his season at the club without a trophy.

The Serbian wanted to stay at Simba but the former Mainland champions said they could not afford to pay his controversial $50,000 (approximately 114 million) monthly salary.

Kerr, now Burton Albion Academy’s Under-18 team head coach, is expected in the country next week and officially take charge of the team on July 1, according to the club’s information officer, Haji Manara.

“We want someone who can share our vision for the future of Simba Sports Club. We want to be an innovative club in everything we do and having a head coach who thinks in that way is very important,” Manara told The Citizen yesterday.

“In Kerr I believe we have a head coach who, with his high energy and free-flowing football, will embrace the style of play we associate with our club.

“He has a proven ability to develop each player as an individual, whilst building great team spirit and a winning mentality,” he added.

Simba, who finished third in the 2014/15 season, have invested heavily in the offseason, bringing in a host of new players as they seek to snatch the Mainland Premier League title they last won three or so years ago.

“We have a talented squad that the Briton will likely be excited to coach next season,” Manara said.

In December 2012, Kerr was an assistant coach of Vietnam’s national soccer team. He also coached two Scottish clubs Hamilliton Academicals FC and Greennock Morton FC.

A few years later, he left for South Africa where he joined NFD Nathi Lions FC as head coach for a few years before crossing over to Thanda Royal Zulu FC.

“Simba have a huge following across the country and Kerr will definitely have great admiration for the passion the fans show for our team,” said Manara.

He added: “We are determined to give the supporters the kind of attacking, free-flowing football and success that we are all looking to achieve next season.”