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Simoes scheduled to arrive in January
Inspirational Brazilian tactician, Rene Simoes will definately make his much documented return to the Jamaican bench in the middle of January along with his entire support staff. This has been confirmed by Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) sources.
Simoes was expected to arrive in the island over the weekend, however it is understood that the Brazilian has requested to suspend his appointment until the new year because of family reasons.
This will not affect Jamaica’s re-energised preparations as the team’s next international assignment is scheduled for the next available FIFA date in February.
The matter was discussed at the most recent JFF board meeting, which lasted for over five hours on Thursday afternoon at the body’s St Lucia Crescent secretariat.
Simoes, who led Jamaica to their only World Cup berth at the France finals in 1998, has been widely tipped to replace the hugely disappointing Serbian Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic, who was recently relieved of his duties by the newly reinstalled Captain Burrell-led JFF administration.
Bora, having signed a mammoth US$1 million-a-year contract with the now-history Crenston Boxhill JFF in 2006, had led the Reggae Boyz to a miserable record of 1 win, 4 losses and 1 draw (excluding Lunar Cup tournament). Under Bora’s tenure, the Reggae Boyz conceded 14 goals and scored 5 of their own in six games.
Subsequent to Milutinovic’s sacking, former national midfielder Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore was appointed as interim head coach and successfully led a star-studded outfit to comfortable victories over Central American rivals El Salvador and Guatemala.
JFF sources have already hinted that the present Seba United player/coach may find himself under the tutelage of the man who once coached him, after the impressive start to his coaching career.
Treasurer Gary Sinclair, while not confirming or denying the capture of Simoes said that the JFF will sign the best man for the job.
He remarked, “there is a process that must be honoured. While I am not going to go as far as to confirm, what I will say at this time is that the next coach of Jamaica will be the man that is best suited for the job and possesses the ability to put this programme on the right path towards qualification to South Africa in 2010.”
As it relates to the team’s next kit suppliers, Sinclair advised that discussions are currently being held with several international sports goods manufacturers.
For the last two World Cup campaigns, the national programme has been sponsored by German kit makers Uhlsport. However, that arrangement came to an end in July after a six-month extension.
The previous administration was close to signing off on a deal with a major Italian brand. There were however, concerns with the monetary value of the deal and the merchandising aspect of the partnership.
Sinclair said the JFF will be looking to maximise on the global appeal of the Reggae Boyz brand.
“We are not just looking for a company to give us clothes, we are looking for a merchandising deal. Reggae Boyz is a brand and internationally recognised brand and we want a company that can maximise on that,” said Sinclair.
Inspirational Brazilian tactician, Rene Simoes will definately make his much documented return to the Jamaican bench in the middle of January along with his entire support staff. This has been confirmed by Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) sources.
Simoes was expected to arrive in the island over the weekend, however it is understood that the Brazilian has requested to suspend his appointment until the new year because of family reasons.
This will not affect Jamaica’s re-energised preparations as the team’s next international assignment is scheduled for the next available FIFA date in February.
The matter was discussed at the most recent JFF board meeting, which lasted for over five hours on Thursday afternoon at the body’s St Lucia Crescent secretariat.
Simoes, who led Jamaica to their only World Cup berth at the France finals in 1998, has been widely tipped to replace the hugely disappointing Serbian Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic, who was recently relieved of his duties by the newly reinstalled Captain Burrell-led JFF administration.
Bora, having signed a mammoth US$1 million-a-year contract with the now-history Crenston Boxhill JFF in 2006, had led the Reggae Boyz to a miserable record of 1 win, 4 losses and 1 draw (excluding Lunar Cup tournament). Under Bora’s tenure, the Reggae Boyz conceded 14 goals and scored 5 of their own in six games.
Subsequent to Milutinovic’s sacking, former national midfielder Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore was appointed as interim head coach and successfully led a star-studded outfit to comfortable victories over Central American rivals El Salvador and Guatemala.
JFF sources have already hinted that the present Seba United player/coach may find himself under the tutelage of the man who once coached him, after the impressive start to his coaching career.
Treasurer Gary Sinclair, while not confirming or denying the capture of Simoes said that the JFF will sign the best man for the job.
He remarked, “there is a process that must be honoured. While I am not going to go as far as to confirm, what I will say at this time is that the next coach of Jamaica will be the man that is best suited for the job and possesses the ability to put this programme on the right path towards qualification to South Africa in 2010.”
As it relates to the team’s next kit suppliers, Sinclair advised that discussions are currently being held with several international sports goods manufacturers.
For the last two World Cup campaigns, the national programme has been sponsored by German kit makers Uhlsport. However, that arrangement came to an end in July after a six-month extension.
The previous administration was close to signing off on a deal with a major Italian brand. There were however, concerns with the monetary value of the deal and the merchandising aspect of the partnership.
Sinclair said the JFF will be looking to maximise on the global appeal of the Reggae Boyz brand.
“We are not just looking for a company to give us clothes, we are looking for a merchandising deal. Reggae Boyz is a brand and internationally recognised brand and we want a company that can maximise on that,” said Sinclair.