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We need some answers
Well after a turbulent period as the head coach of Jamaica's national teams, Wendell Downswell has finally resigned.
The past 12 months have been horrible for Downswell. He did start well and led the Reggae Boyz to a number of wins but once the level was lifted above the Caribbean he struggled to get good results. A huge defeat to Australia in a friendly last year and big losses to Ghana and England in two friendly matches prior to the World Cup further hurt his cause. The final nail came at the recent Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia. Jamaica lost two of three matches played including a crushing 6-0 loss to the hosts in the quarter-finals.
In recent weeks, several likely replacements for Downswell have been mentioned, including former England winger, Jamaica-born John Barnes, and Brazilian Rene Simoes, who took the Reggae Boyz to France for their historic qualification in 1998.
While confirming that they are seeking someone to take charge of the island's football and to get the Reggae Boyz to South Africa in 2010, president Crenston Boxhill has given few details as to the coach or technical director he, or his technical committee, is seeking.
Football fans need to know what is the vision of the JFF as regards the philosophy of any new technical director. Will Jamaica, with many of the island's players operating in Europe, be looking to get a coach from Great Britain or the European continent? With the Brazilian philosophy deeply embedded in the Jamaican football culture, will it be another person from the great South American country?
As the search continues there should be some answers to these questions.
For example, I would not be in favour of appointing Barnes who, despite a successful career for England, has no track record as a coach.
I also do not see anyone locally who is good enough to take on the challenge.
My preference would be for a coach from either France or the Netherlands. A number of these coaches, especially from France, have done well in Africa with players who have the strong running style of Jamaica's players.
The current administration must also say what is the official policy towards recruiting players born in Britain and the United States. The impression was given in the run up to the elections which ousted former president Captain Horace Burrell that this administration was not too keen on getting players of the likes of Deon Burton, Robbie Earle, Fitzroy Simpson and Paul Hall, four British-born footballers who played crucial roles in getting the Reggae Boyz to France eight years ago.
Then there is the matter of facilities. A lot of the success of the 1998 Reggae Boyz came as a result of the fact that they were taken to Brazil to train on top level playing surfaces and to face some good opposition. Players such as Theodore Whitmore, Onandi Lowe, goalkeepers Warren Barrett and Donovan Ricketts and defender Ian Goodison showed vast improvement after training trips to the South American country. Eight years after France, Jamaica still do not possess adequate training facilities.
Well after a turbulent period as the head coach of Jamaica's national teams, Wendell Downswell has finally resigned.
The past 12 months have been horrible for Downswell. He did start well and led the Reggae Boyz to a number of wins but once the level was lifted above the Caribbean he struggled to get good results. A huge defeat to Australia in a friendly last year and big losses to Ghana and England in two friendly matches prior to the World Cup further hurt his cause. The final nail came at the recent Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Colombia. Jamaica lost two of three matches played including a crushing 6-0 loss to the hosts in the quarter-finals.
In recent weeks, several likely replacements for Downswell have been mentioned, including former England winger, Jamaica-born John Barnes, and Brazilian Rene Simoes, who took the Reggae Boyz to France for their historic qualification in 1998.
While confirming that they are seeking someone to take charge of the island's football and to get the Reggae Boyz to South Africa in 2010, president Crenston Boxhill has given few details as to the coach or technical director he, or his technical committee, is seeking.
Football fans need to know what is the vision of the JFF as regards the philosophy of any new technical director. Will Jamaica, with many of the island's players operating in Europe, be looking to get a coach from Great Britain or the European continent? With the Brazilian philosophy deeply embedded in the Jamaican football culture, will it be another person from the great South American country?
As the search continues there should be some answers to these questions.
For example, I would not be in favour of appointing Barnes who, despite a successful career for England, has no track record as a coach.
I also do not see anyone locally who is good enough to take on the challenge.
My preference would be for a coach from either France or the Netherlands. A number of these coaches, especially from France, have done well in Africa with players who have the strong running style of Jamaica's players.
The current administration must also say what is the official policy towards recruiting players born in Britain and the United States. The impression was given in the run up to the elections which ousted former president Captain Horace Burrell that this administration was not too keen on getting players of the likes of Deon Burton, Robbie Earle, Fitzroy Simpson and Paul Hall, four British-born footballers who played crucial roles in getting the Reggae Boyz to France eight years ago.
Then there is the matter of facilities. A lot of the success of the 1998 Reggae Boyz came as a result of the fact that they were taken to Brazil to train on top level playing surfaces and to face some good opposition. Players such as Theodore Whitmore, Onandi Lowe, goalkeepers Warren Barrett and Donovan Ricketts and defender Ian Goodison showed vast improvement after training trips to the South American country. Eight years after France, Jamaica still do not possess adequate training facilities.