McKinstry wants Cranes to maximize potential

This 30-minute interview, the first in mainstream media since Johnny McKinstry was confirmed as new Uganda Cranes coach, was one of several fast-paced activities the 34-year-old had to contend with barely 48 hours after arriving in the country.

He sat at the Kampala Serena lobby punching into his Mac book his new players details. McKinstry had arrived more than an hour early for our early morning interview.
He had collapsed – wasted - in bed the previous night, missing Bayern Munich’s annihilation of Tottenham Hotspur in the Uefa Champions League.
“I just caught highlights but I’ll watch a replay of the whole game,” he said in between his first work, “And how did Real Madrid end?” The writer updated him.

Phone call run
Yet McKinstry still looked as hungry, excited and super determined as he was at his unveiling a day before, his amiable self making for effortless rapport.
This was some week for the Northern Irishman, who – after a series of interviews that day was to phone Cranes skipper Denis Onyango and the rest of the players.

“My phone bill will definitely shoot through the roof,” he smiled, “I have to call about or more than 100 of them. Of course there are players now you know are key. But you also don’t know who will be key on six months time. First thing of course is to get to know them, and them to know me and my character. The good thing with the federation here is that it has structures and at least almost all departments are working. You want something from the competitions, and the department avails it. So for me everyone has a chance. Everyone who has featured in the national team set-up in the last 18 months should expect a phone call.”

What McKinstry is looking for is character and drive.
“Of course it’s about winning, and we need the best team. But the best team is not necessarily the best players. The best XI players may not gel well, for example. It’s about fielding the best combination. It’s about character.”

Backroom staff
The former Sierra Leone and Rwanda coach was also due to meet his technical staff during the week. Hitherto interim Cranes coach Abdallah Mubiru, his - until then – assistant Livingstone Mbabazi and the rest of their team will now all work with McKinstry. The man, who started taking coaching badges at 16 years of age, explained why he did not come with his own backroom staff.

“Yes I’ve worked with some staff where I’ve been but for me really it’s about where the gaps are,” he said.
“I’ll assess my team and see. There is no point for me bringing someone from out if there’s a Ugandan doing the same job. I want to win things but also I want to help develop my fellow coaches. My contract might end in three years, but once I’ve gone, I want my legacy to continue.”

Soft approach
McKinstry’s very first action comes against Burundi next weekend. Mubiru guided Uganda to a 3-0 away victory in the first leg and McKinstry wants him to continue.
“Yes I’ll be with the team but the game, I think, has come too early for me,” he explained.

“The interim staff have been excellent with that big away win. I’ll be involved by offering guidance where necessary but they will continue and see out the game”, he said.
The winner over the two legs will qualify for Chan 2020 in Cameroon.

World Cup, and philosophy
There are two things McKinstry has no apologies for; his burning desire to coach at the World Cup and freedom to alter playing style.

“The Uganda Cranes national team is one of the very best in Africa in terms of the team progressing and Fufa’s vision, and I’m honoured for the opportunity,” he said.

“For me, yes I’d love to coach at the Africa Cup of Nations but it’s been a burning desire to coach at the World Cup. And I see Uganda as a great opportunity to do that and that wouldn’t be a great thing only for me and Fufa, but for the whole of Uganda. Fufa’s mid-term target is qualifying for the 2026 World Cup, but we will try Qatar 2020, too.”

McKinstry prefers Jürgen Klopp and Sir Alex Ferguson’s way of first break attack ahead of Pep Guardiola’s tiki taka, but is not about to religiously bury himself in one system.

“I love my team to score goals, to keep fans on the edge and to play entertaining football,” he said.
“But of course I have to look at the players and see the style that fits their abilities. Sometimes all we want will be three points and I have no apologies for that.”

McKinstry started out playing football and rugby, but at 16/17, he appreciated he might never make it at the top level. He started taking coaching badges that early. “I could see the game tactically from a young age.”
He played on into early 20s while coaching kids. Basketball coaching legend John Wooden gives him drive.
“Wooden said that success is when you maximize your potential and I believe him. Not being the first is not necessarily failure.”

During his time with Sierra Leone, McKinstry took the country to their highest Fifa ranking ever at 50th, although he was relieved of his duties after they failed to qualify for Afcon 2015. They were in a group that included Ivory Coast, Cameroon and DRC, and played their home games away because of an Ebola outbreak.
Fifa then ruled in his favour after he was wrongly sacked by Rwanda, whom he took to the 2016 Chan quarterfinals. Rwanda were ordered to compensate him with $215,000.

And oh, on his relationship status, the fine young man heartily bid farewell to all it may concern: “I’m married to football.” Adios.

Employment history
Teams managed.
2018–2019: Saif SC (Bangladesh Premier League side
2017–2018: Kauno Žalgiris (Lithuania Premier League side
International Manager / Head Coach: Rwanda (Mar 2015 - Aug 2016), Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA)
International Manager / Head Coach: Sierra Leone (Apr 2013 - Sep 2014), Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA

At a glance

Name: Johnny McKinstry
Age: 34
Qualifications
2015 - Postgraduate Certificate in Performance Coaching (UK)
2007 - BSc. (HONS) Applied Sport Science with Coaching (UK)
Coaching Certifications
2016 - Uefa Pro Licence (Irish FA)
2013 - Academy Managers’ Licence (English FA)
2012 - Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma (Coerver Ireland)
2011 - Premier Diploma (NSCAA - USA)
2009 - UEFA ‘A’ Coaching Licence (Irish FA)
2009 - National Goalkeeping Diploma (NSCAA - USA)
2008 - National Youth Diploma (NSCAA - USA)
2006 - FA Teaching Certificate (English FA)
2004 - S.A.Q. Level 1 (S.A.Q. Ireland)

2017–2018: Kauno Žalgiris (Lithuania Premier League side
International Manager / Head Coach: Rwanda (Mar 2015 - Aug 2016), Rwanda Football Federation (FERWAFA)
International Manager / Head Coach: Sierra Leone (Apr 2013 - Sep 2014), Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA)

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