Professional Football Manager.

Coach McKinstry is a professional football manager with experience at full international level (Rwanda & Sierra Leone).

From 2015 - 2016 he was Head Coach of the Rwanda National Football Team. Prior to that, he was Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Football team (2013 - 2014). On both occasions, he has been the youngest active head coach in international football.

He led Rwanda to their best ever performance in a major competition (Quarter-Finals of the 2016 CAF Nations Championship), and led Sierra Lone to their highest ever FIFA World and African rankings - 7th in Africa and 50th in the World.

Head Coach, Rwanda National Football Team

From March 2015 - August 2016 Coach McKinstry was International Manager and Head Coach of the Rwanda National Football Team.

In just 17 months he led Rwanda to new heights - securing Rwanda’s best ever performance in a major competition (Quarter-Finals of the 2016 CAF Nations Championship). He led Rwanda to the runner-up spot in CECAFA 2015 (being named 'Coach of the Tournament' for his efforts).

He also secured Rwanda’s biggest ever victory in FIFA or CAF qualifying (5-0 vs Mauritius); securing Rwanda’s first competitive away win in 4 years (vs Mozambique, AFCON qualifying); and placing Rwanda second in AFCON 2017 group qualifying with 6 points (both achievements having only been once before bettered in Rwanda’s history - in 2004).

Match reports and Pictures:

You can read more about Coach McKinstr'sy work with the Rwanda National Team(s), including match reports and pictures, at www.johnnymckinstry.com/amavubi

Head Coach, Sierra Leone National Football Team

Sierra Leone Coat of Arms Appointed as Head Coach of the Sierra Leone National Men's Football team (the 'Leone Stars') on 11th April 2013, Coach McKinstry became the youngest active Head Coach in international football. At only 27 years of age, this achievement was surpassed only by former Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham Manager Andre Villas-Boas who was 22 when he lead the British Virgin Islands.

'Remarkable' Achievements

Within just 16 months (August 2014) Coach McKinstry had led Sierra Lone to their highest ever FIFA World and African rankings - 7th in Africa and 50th in the World - both well above their lowest ever ranking of 172 in 2007.

Fifa.com hailed this achievement as "remarkable" and referring to his initial time in charge noted:

"Under McKinstry, Sierra Leone have played six matches, losing just one FIFA World Cup™ qualifier in Cape Verde Islands 1-0, but also achieving a morale-boosting 2-2 draw against African powerhouse Tunisia in the same competition. He has steered the team into the group stages of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers after beating Swaziland and Seychelles in the knock-out stages, with a 2-0 victory over the latter."

Match reports and Pictures:

Leone Stars celebrate scoring against Equatorial Guinea [Pic (c) Darren McKinstry] You can read more about Coach McKinstry's achievements with the Leone Stars, including match reports and pictures, at www.johnnymckinstry.com/leonestars