Engin Firat reveals why he refuses to quit Harambee Stars despite nearly a year without pay

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat remains committed to the team despite unpaid wages, focusing on Kenya’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification.

Money is always a major factor in professional football especially when it comes to foreign coaches managing national teams.

But for Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat, it seems passion and loyalty have triumphed over finances, as the Turkish tactician continues to lead Kenya's national football team despite going unpaid for over ten months.

Firat, who took the helm of the Harambee Stars in September 2021 on a three-year contract with a reported monthly salary of Ksh 1.5 million, is currently owed an estimated Ksh 15 million in back pay.

The gaffer has now opened up about his decision to remain with the Harambee Stars, despite the significant debt owed to him.

"As a coach, sometimes you choose your options based on what suits you best,” Firat explained in an interview with Daily Sports.

“Like you go for the money, or you can go maybe where you feel more comfortable. Or you look for a challenge. I had been in Asia and Europe before, so for me, it was only a question of time as a challenge, also to experience Kenya. It gives me a lot of experience, both good and bad."

Firat’s tenure has been marked by significant challenges, from inconsistent pay to navigating the complexities of leading a team amid financial uncertainty.

Yet, the coach remains committed to his players and the mission at hand, even as Kenya finds itself in a precarious position in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

When asked why he has not taken legal action or reported the non-payment issue to FIFA, as most coaches would, Firat’s response was both candid and heartfelt.

“Normally, you know, everybody would go to FIFA and gives a contract here,” Firat said.

“But like I said, I had an emotional connection to the players. I want first to achieve some goals and after this, I will decide what to do about it. Because even as I said before, there are too many empty promises. In Europe or the US, the government doesn't give financial support to the federations, but here they do. Still, they have always financial problems.”

The employer's financial woes come at a critical time, as Kenya stands third in Group J of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, trailing behind group leaders Cameroon and Zimbabwe.

Kenya has earned four points thus far, compared to Cameroon’s ten and Zimbabwe’s eight, while Namibia remains at the bottom without a point. The top two teams from each group will secure a place in the 2025 AFCON finals, set to take place in Morocco.

Despite the challenges, Firat’s loyalty to Harambee Stars has not wavered. His emotional bond with the players has kept him in Kenya, even as his contract remains unfulfilled.

“You have really good inside and these kinds of things,” Firat remarked.

“I don't know how they make it, whatever, and it's now already 10-11 months where I'm not paid. It’s good that I was always in places where I had PCP, therefore I have no problem with this.”