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Premier league clubs sack coaches Hyde, Duckie
By Howard Walker Observer staff reporter Walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
National Under-20 coaches Donovan Duckie and Lenworth Hyde Snr became the sixth and seventh National Premier League (NPL) coaches to be sacked this season by their clubs, St George's and Harbour View, respectively.
Duckie, who guided Portland outfit St George's to the top league last season and who are currently in seventh spot, was fired Monday, while Hyde - who led Harbour View to the Premier League title and Caribbean Club crown - was given his marching orders yesterday.
Both men were recently appointed as part of the national setup after being recognised for their outstanding work and are considered two of the brightest young coaches around.
Hyde or "Teacher", as he was called during his player years, said he was totally surprised at his sacking after leading the 'Stars of the East' to the NPL crown in his first year at the club last season.
"I was surprised because of what I did while I was there. The team had injuries and we had some discipline problem and I think the team was doing well. I didn't expect it like this. We won five trophies in a year or so," Hyde told the Observer yesterday.
"Arsene Wenger at Arsenal don't win anything in four years. They come with the best team every time, with the most attractive football and they never thought about firing him. I don't know what kind of plan Harbour View have, but it is so the coaching thing go," he said philosophically.
Meanwhile, a press release from Harbour View said, "The services of head coach, Lenworth Hyde has been terminated and we thank him for his valued contribution to the club over the last two seasons and wish him all the best in his future endeavours locally and as a newly selected National Consultant to the Reggae Boyz.
"The Board of the Harbour View Football Club has taken the decision to promote assistant coach Harold Thomas to take charge... for the remainder of the 2008 Premier League season with immediate effect."
Dethroned champions Harbour View are fourth in the NPL on 47 points - 17 adrift of leaders Portmore entering the fourth and final round, with five games remaining.
Duckie, could not be reached for comments yesterday, but sources indicate that the management of St George's felt he was not giving 100 per cent to the team after being caught up with national duties.
Duckie has been replaced by the much-travelled Geoffrey Maxwell at St George's for the remainder of the season.
Hyde and Duckie join Waterhouse's Danilo Barriga, Arnett Gardens' Max Straw, Christopher Russell of Village United and Kevin Williams of Sporting Central as coaches to be sacked this season.
Straw has the dubious distinction of being the first coach to be sacked by two clubs in one season. After losing his job as head coach at Arnett, he went to Harbour View as an assistant coach but was recently fired.
Tivoli Gardens head coach, Glendon "Admiral" Bailey, went "missing in action" earlier this season and was replaced by assistant, Desmond Francis.
Calvert Fitzgerald of August Town made way for Hugh McCarthy based on an agreement that whenever McCarthy returned to the island he would take charge. McCarthy has since been replaced by his assistant, Domique Spaulding.
By Howard Walker Observer staff reporter Walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
National Under-20 coaches Donovan Duckie and Lenworth Hyde Snr became the sixth and seventh National Premier League (NPL) coaches to be sacked this season by their clubs, St George's and Harbour View, respectively.
Duckie, who guided Portland outfit St George's to the top league last season and who are currently in seventh spot, was fired Monday, while Hyde - who led Harbour View to the Premier League title and Caribbean Club crown - was given his marching orders yesterday.
Both men were recently appointed as part of the national setup after being recognised for their outstanding work and are considered two of the brightest young coaches around.
Hyde or "Teacher", as he was called during his player years, said he was totally surprised at his sacking after leading the 'Stars of the East' to the NPL crown in his first year at the club last season.
"I was surprised because of what I did while I was there. The team had injuries and we had some discipline problem and I think the team was doing well. I didn't expect it like this. We won five trophies in a year or so," Hyde told the Observer yesterday.
"Arsene Wenger at Arsenal don't win anything in four years. They come with the best team every time, with the most attractive football and they never thought about firing him. I don't know what kind of plan Harbour View have, but it is so the coaching thing go," he said philosophically.
Meanwhile, a press release from Harbour View said, "The services of head coach, Lenworth Hyde has been terminated and we thank him for his valued contribution to the club over the last two seasons and wish him all the best in his future endeavours locally and as a newly selected National Consultant to the Reggae Boyz.
"The Board of the Harbour View Football Club has taken the decision to promote assistant coach Harold Thomas to take charge... for the remainder of the 2008 Premier League season with immediate effect."
Dethroned champions Harbour View are fourth in the NPL on 47 points - 17 adrift of leaders Portmore entering the fourth and final round, with five games remaining.
Duckie, could not be reached for comments yesterday, but sources indicate that the management of St George's felt he was not giving 100 per cent to the team after being caught up with national duties.
Duckie has been replaced by the much-travelled Geoffrey Maxwell at St George's for the remainder of the season.
Hyde and Duckie join Waterhouse's Danilo Barriga, Arnett Gardens' Max Straw, Christopher Russell of Village United and Kevin Williams of Sporting Central as coaches to be sacked this season.
Straw has the dubious distinction of being the first coach to be sacked by two clubs in one season. After losing his job as head coach at Arnett, he went to Harbour View as an assistant coach but was recently fired.
Tivoli Gardens head coach, Glendon "Admiral" Bailey, went "missing in action" earlier this season and was replaced by assistant, Desmond Francis.
Calvert Fitzgerald of August Town made way for Hugh McCarthy based on an agreement that whenever McCarthy returned to the island he would take charge. McCarthy has since been replaced by his assistant, Domique Spaulding.
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