$200 million to fire ‘Bora’
By André Lowe
It could cost the new Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration in excess of $213 million if it is to go through with its reported plan to terminate under fire Serbian coach Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic, because of the glaring absence of a “buy out” clause in his contract.
Details of the massive US$1 million-a-year contract revealed that there is no provision of a buyout clause, as is customary with agreements of a similar nature. The only detailed grounds for Milutinovic’s dismissal are; first and foremost, failure to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, insanity and a neglect of duties, which speaks to inexplicable absences.
The agreement also allows Milutinovic up to three weeks time off at a “convenient time” subject to the approval of the JFF president. This it is understood, can be at any amount of time for the year.
Milutinovic was unveiled as coach of the Jamaican team in November 2006, on a four year US$1 million contract to much fanfare. The government and several private sector companies are jointly funding the contract.
However, a string of poor performances – resulting in the nation’s plummeting in the FIFA world rankings – and an appearance of nonchalance on the part of the Gulliver-like tactician, have led to whispers of a possible sack and the sensational return of World Cup 1998 hero Rene Simoes.
The Sunday Herald also understands that crunch meetings will be held at some point during the next two weeks between returned JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell and Milutinovic, to discuss the direction of the senior squad and the details of his contract.
n the meantime Simoes, who was recently paired with the Bermudan and Canadian national teams, has recently come out publicly denying any interest in those posts in a move that some pundits have interpreted as an indication that he is paving the way for a return to the Jamaican bench.
Captain Burrell convinced the Brazilian to take control of the Jamaican team in 1994 on an $8 million-a-year contract. Simoes – who is currently finishing up a season with Brazilian Série B leaders Coritiba Football Club – led the Jamaicans to their first and only FIFA World Cup berth in 1998 before surprisingly stepping down two years later.
e went on to coach Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago before leading the Brazilian women’s team to a silver medal at 2004 Olympics. He was also at the helm of the Iranian Olympic team.
Burrell has chosen his words carefully in regards to his plans for the Serbian but has however promised “sweeping changes” and “bold moves”, hinting at a possible change at the helm in the technical department.
A key member of the Crenston Boxhill-led team that negotiated Bora’s contract, speaking in anonymity, revealed to the Sunday Herald that unless a mutual termination agreement is reached between both parties, Bora’s removal could prove costly for the new administration, should they move to take that route. The other available option is for the JFF to pay off the entire value of the two remaining years of Bora’s contract, which amounts to approximately $213 million
By André Lowe
It could cost the new Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) administration in excess of $213 million if it is to go through with its reported plan to terminate under fire Serbian coach Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic, because of the glaring absence of a “buy out” clause in his contract.
Details of the massive US$1 million-a-year contract revealed that there is no provision of a buyout clause, as is customary with agreements of a similar nature. The only detailed grounds for Milutinovic’s dismissal are; first and foremost, failure to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals, insanity and a neglect of duties, which speaks to inexplicable absences.
The agreement also allows Milutinovic up to three weeks time off at a “convenient time” subject to the approval of the JFF president. This it is understood, can be at any amount of time for the year.
Milutinovic was unveiled as coach of the Jamaican team in November 2006, on a four year US$1 million contract to much fanfare. The government and several private sector companies are jointly funding the contract.
However, a string of poor performances – resulting in the nation’s plummeting in the FIFA world rankings – and an appearance of nonchalance on the part of the Gulliver-like tactician, have led to whispers of a possible sack and the sensational return of World Cup 1998 hero Rene Simoes.
The Sunday Herald also understands that crunch meetings will be held at some point during the next two weeks between returned JFF boss Captain Horace Burrell and Milutinovic, to discuss the direction of the senior squad and the details of his contract.
n the meantime Simoes, who was recently paired with the Bermudan and Canadian national teams, has recently come out publicly denying any interest in those posts in a move that some pundits have interpreted as an indication that he is paving the way for a return to the Jamaican bench.
Captain Burrell convinced the Brazilian to take control of the Jamaican team in 1994 on an $8 million-a-year contract. Simoes – who is currently finishing up a season with Brazilian Série B leaders Coritiba Football Club – led the Jamaicans to their first and only FIFA World Cup berth in 1998 before surprisingly stepping down two years later.
e went on to coach Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago before leading the Brazilian women’s team to a silver medal at 2004 Olympics. He was also at the helm of the Iranian Olympic team.
Burrell has chosen his words carefully in regards to his plans for the Serbian but has however promised “sweeping changes” and “bold moves”, hinting at a possible change at the helm in the technical department.
A key member of the Crenston Boxhill-led team that negotiated Bora’s contract, speaking in anonymity, revealed to the Sunday Herald that unless a mutual termination agreement is reached between both parties, Bora’s removal could prove costly for the new administration, should they move to take that route. The other available option is for the JFF to pay off the entire value of the two remaining years of Bora’s contract, which amounts to approximately $213 million
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