Tweet
As He Fine-Tunes His Craft ...Whitmore Moulds The Hopes Of A Nation
Published: Sunday | September 12, 20100 Comments and 0 Reactions
Whitmore (right) and Stewart exchanging ideas during a Reggae Boyz match.
Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer
FLORIDA, United States: From a distance, with the early sunrise barelypainting
his six-foot-plus frame, the sight of Theodore Whitmore on a football field here does not look much different from his days as a star player for Jamaica.
Up closer, across a table in a hotel lobby, it's clear the man called 'Tappa' is a few pounds past the day he crowned himself and the country with glory by scoring two goals against Japan
at the 1998 World Cup finals in France. But these days, he carries the weight of Jamaica's expectations as well.[/color]
Whitmore is head coach of the senior men's team, strapped with the responsibility of taking Jamaica to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after the Reggae Boyz missed the last three in a row. His job title may have changed, but Whitmore claims he has grown equally at ease barking instructions from the sideline as he was on the ball as a player.
"You know, game by game you get a lot more confident," he says critiquing his 19 games at the helm.
"There is still a lot of room for improvement, but based on the start ... it's more comfortable. Very challenging at times. But, you know, nothing in life comes easy."
Whitmore, in spells as interim national coach and now locked into the post, has compiled a creditable record. Counting last Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Peru, the Jamaicans have won 12, lost five and drawn two games with him in charge.
Among the most impressive results are three straight wins - against Mexico, Honduras and]Canada - as the Reggae Boyz scrambled to revive their dying 2010 World Cup hopes after floundering in the CONCACAF semi-final qualifying stage under the guidance of Whitmore's mentor and former coach, René Simoes.[/color]
That last-ditch effort was not enough, but it brought Whitmore, whose previous coaching job was at club level with Seba, respect. The results also earned favour with many Jamaicans, who were consoled that one of their own had made a mark where others believe only foreigners could.
Even so, Jamaican-born, England-based John Barnes took over following the latest World Cup disappointment. Then he left the job despite an unbeaten run that included winning the Digicel Caribbean Championship. Whitmore stepped in permanently.
PROMISING
Despite being currently ranked 82nd in the world by FIFA, football's world governing body, the Boyz have achieved promising results under Whitmore's guidance. Defeats this year have come against opponents ranked leagues higher than Jamaica, including 2010 World Cup teams South Africa (66th) and Argentina (fifth). Last year's 1-0 losses to Costa Rica (52nd) and Canada (101st) in the CONCACAF Gold Cup were both avenged in 2010. It took a late goal from 39th ranked Peru to beat Jamaica.[/color]
Whitmore's progress has earned him backing by Jamaica Football Federation president, Captain Horace Burrell, who confirmed that the former midfielder, who once represented clubs in England and Scotland, will be in charge of Jamaica's bid to defend the Digicel Caribbean Championship later this year, plus the Gold Cup and at least the early World Cup qualifiers next year.
That news, plus rising confidence, has scaled down concerns of a foreigner returning. But the reality is not lost on Whitmore.
"The result is what counts," the 38-year-old explains with a shrug when asked about job security. "So, from I keep getting the results, I don't see why I should feel insecure ... I'm just looking forward ... so I don't see why I should look over my shoulder. But who knows?"
That declaration is less bravado and more a peek at how far Whitmore has come since he took charge.
Speculation of locker room interference from people above the national coach's pay grade are common in Jamaica's football circles. But Whitmore insists he is calling the shots on the field.
His accomplishments as a smooth playmaker gives him instant credibility with the younger generation of Reggae Boyz. He has polished his coaching tools since taking over by attending several courses. The maturity he shows today was not instantly installed with the job title.
"I don't want to use the words leaps and bounds, in terms of football, but obviously he has made tremendous strides," says Whitmore's assistant coach, Bradley Stewart.
"... You'd have to say that as a rookie coach that his results were phenomenal. That basically has to indicate that he has a profound knowledge (of the game), though in the early stages probably not as structured as you would want having the knowledge that he has.
"... I can remember when we just started the relationship, he didn't have the confidence to get on the field and express himself and to organise the training, plan the training."
SCRUTINY
That has changed, Stewart says, although testing circumstances reveal Whitmore has a way to go. Some problems he has met head-on. He fines players for lack of commitment and sent home Damion Stewart from the 2009 Gold Cup for disciplinary reasons.
Yet Whitmore's approach in that tournament, including team selection and tactics, also came under scrutiny when Jamaica were booted out in the first round. Some criticisms have merit, but others fizzle under review.
One local commentator, for example, recently accused Whitmore of ignoring younger players, even as schoolboys were in the squad that beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 in August. The coach blasts those who want to rush underprepared youngsters.
"What we find (Jamaicans) are doing and getting caught up in, we're trying to compare Jamaica with a Germany. You understand? And I think that is stupid," he says. "You can't compare a 20-year-old German player with a 20-year-old Jamaican player. A 20-year-old German player has far more experience than a 29-year-old Jamaican.
"It's a different way to look on it. So it's gonna take time," he adds. "We just can't take everybody."
That does not mean opportunities to older players only. Whitmore says the World Cup campaign will be open to those who can make a contribution. So invitees may even include 1998 World Cup veterans and others who will be well into their 30s when Brazil rolls around. It's about finding the right mix.
"No one is guaranteed a place," Whitmore says. "Our policy right now is we're gonna use players who are committed, willing to work with our plan and the way forward to make this team and country better.
"We've never ruled out anybody," he adds. "We're not saying that come 2014 we'd have a Ricardo Gardner here, (Ian) Goodison, or whosoever the case may be. But if they have something they can contribute leading towards (the World Cup), the door is still open."
LEADERSHIP VOID
Yet, while the coach believes the current pool brims with talented players, he laments the absence of leadership despite the growing number of Jamaicans playing professionally overseas. That, he says, was a key reason Jamaica failed to reach the World Cup after 1998. Missing are forceful voices, like Warren Barrett's and Peter Cargill's on the 'Road to France'.
"Sometimes you need someone out there to ruffle some feathers," says Whitmore, who made 105 appearances for Jamaica and scored 24 goals.
He is relatively young for a head national coach, but that works to his advantage, says Stewart. He believes Whitmore has already bridged the gap with the Reggae Boyz.
"The ability to motivate players, given that he has just passed his playing days, a lot of players still associate him with playing rather than coaching," Stewart explains.
"So he brings on board that which the players probably want to hear most of the time in the same language."
Whitmore wants to reach out more to Jamaicans wherever they play football, a strategy lacking in Jamaica's past. He believes he can make them all feel welcome.
The current group appears to be buying whatever Whitmore is selling. When heavy rains forced the cancellation of Jamaica's practice the night before the Peru game, the coach gathered his squad and informed them of a 6:30 a.m. session on match day. Most players were still tired from playing against ]Costa Rica the night before in Kingston, then rising to catch a 6 a.m. flight here on Monday. Yet they, including those nursing injuries, showed up at the soaking wet practice field in near darkness last Tuesday.[/color]
It appears no different than in his playing days - Tappa controls the tempo. But for how long? The coach has an answer.
"Results will tell," says Whitmore.
[/color]
[/color]Whitmore is head coach of the senior men's team, strapped with the responsibility of taking Jamaica to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after the Reggae Boyz missed the last three in a row. His job title may have changed, but Whitmore claims he has grown equally at ease barking instructions from the sideline as he was on the ball as a player.
"You know, game by game you get a lot more confident," he says critiquing his 19 games at the helm.
"There is still a lot of room for improvement, but based on the start ... it's more comfortable. Very challenging at times. But, you know, nothing in life comes easy."
Whitmore, in spells as interim national coach and now locked into the post, has compiled a creditable record. Counting last Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Peru, the Jamaicans have won 12, lost five and drawn two games with him in charge.
Among the most impressive results are three straight wins - against Mexico, Honduras and]Canada - as the Reggae Boyz scrambled to revive their dying 2010 World Cup hopes after floundering in the CONCACAF semi-final qualifying stage under the guidance of Whitmore's mentor and former coach, René Simoes.[/color]
That last-ditch effort was not enough, but it brought Whitmore, whose previous coaching job was at club level with Seba, respect. The results also earned favour with many Jamaicans, who were consoled that one of their own had made a mark where others believe only foreigners could.
Even so, Jamaican-born, England-based John Barnes took over following the latest World Cup disappointment. Then he left the job despite an unbeaten run that included winning the Digicel Caribbean Championship. Whitmore stepped in permanently.
PROMISING
Despite being currently ranked 82nd in the world by FIFA, football's world governing body, the Boyz have achieved promising results under Whitmore's guidance. Defeats this year have come against opponents ranked leagues higher than Jamaica, including 2010 World Cup teams South Africa (66th) and Argentina (fifth). Last year's 1-0 losses to Costa Rica (52nd) and Canada (101st) in the CONCACAF Gold Cup were both avenged in 2010. It took a late goal from 39th ranked Peru to beat Jamaica.[/color]
Whitmore's progress has earned him backing by Jamaica Football Federation president, Captain Horace Burrell, who confirmed that the former midfielder, who once represented clubs in England and Scotland, will be in charge of Jamaica's bid to defend the Digicel Caribbean Championship later this year, plus the Gold Cup and at least the early World Cup qualifiers next year.
That news, plus rising confidence, has scaled down concerns of a foreigner returning. But the reality is not lost on Whitmore.
"The result is what counts," the 38-year-old explains with a shrug when asked about job security. "So, from I keep getting the results, I don't see why I should feel insecure ... I'm just looking forward ... so I don't see why I should look over my shoulder. But who knows?"
That declaration is less bravado and more a peek at how far Whitmore has come since he took charge.
Speculation of locker room interference from people above the national coach's pay grade are common in Jamaica's football circles. But Whitmore insists he is calling the shots on the field.
His accomplishments as a smooth playmaker gives him instant credibility with the younger generation of Reggae Boyz. He has polished his coaching tools since taking over by attending several courses. The maturity he shows today was not instantly installed with the job title.
"I don't want to use the words leaps and bounds, in terms of football, but obviously he has made tremendous strides," says Whitmore's assistant coach, Bradley Stewart.
"... You'd have to say that as a rookie coach that his results were phenomenal. That basically has to indicate that he has a profound knowledge (of the game), though in the early stages probably not as structured as you would want having the knowledge that he has.
"... I can remember when we just started the relationship, he didn't have the confidence to get on the field and express himself and to organise the training, plan the training."
SCRUTINY
That has changed, Stewart says, although testing circumstances reveal Whitmore has a way to go. Some problems he has met head-on. He fines players for lack of commitment and sent home Damion Stewart from the 2009 Gold Cup for disciplinary reasons.
Yet Whitmore's approach in that tournament, including team selection and tactics, also came under scrutiny when Jamaica were booted out in the first round. Some criticisms have merit, but others fizzle under review.
One local commentator, for example, recently accused Whitmore of ignoring younger players, even as schoolboys were in the squad that beat Trinidad and Tobago 3-1 in August. The coach blasts those who want to rush underprepared youngsters.
"What we find (Jamaicans) are doing and getting caught up in, we're trying to compare Jamaica with a Germany. You understand? And I think that is stupid," he says. "You can't compare a 20-year-old German player with a 20-year-old Jamaican player. A 20-year-old German player has far more experience than a 29-year-old Jamaican.
"It's a different way to look on it. So it's gonna take time," he adds. "We just can't take everybody."
That does not mean opportunities to older players only. Whitmore says the World Cup campaign will be open to those who can make a contribution. So invitees may even include 1998 World Cup veterans and others who will be well into their 30s when Brazil rolls around. It's about finding the right mix.
"No one is guaranteed a place," Whitmore says. "Our policy right now is we're gonna use players who are committed, willing to work with our plan and the way forward to make this team and country better.
"We've never ruled out anybody," he adds. "We're not saying that come 2014 we'd have a Ricardo Gardner here, (Ian) Goodison, or whosoever the case may be. But if they have something they can contribute leading towards (the World Cup), the door is still open."
LEADERSHIP VOID
Yet, while the coach believes the current pool brims with talented players, he laments the absence of leadership despite the growing number of Jamaicans playing professionally overseas. That, he says, was a key reason Jamaica failed to reach the World Cup after 1998. Missing are forceful voices, like Warren Barrett's and Peter Cargill's on the 'Road to France'.
"Sometimes you need someone out there to ruffle some feathers," says Whitmore, who made 105 appearances for Jamaica and scored 24 goals.
He is relatively young for a head national coach, but that works to his advantage, says Stewart. He believes Whitmore has already bridged the gap with the Reggae Boyz.
"The ability to motivate players, given that he has just passed his playing days, a lot of players still associate him with playing rather than coaching," Stewart explains.
"So he brings on board that which the players probably want to hear most of the time in the same language."
Whitmore wants to reach out more to Jamaicans wherever they play football, a strategy lacking in Jamaica's past. He believes he can make them all feel welcome.
The current group appears to be buying whatever Whitmore is selling. When heavy rains forced the cancellation of Jamaica's practice the night before the Peru game, the coach gathered his squad and informed them of a 6:30 a.m. session on match day. Most players were still tired from playing against ]Costa Rica the night before in Kingston, then rising to catch a 6 a.m. flight here on Monday. Yet they, including those nursing injuries, showed up at the soaking wet practice field in near darkness last Tuesday.[/color]
It appears no different than in his playing days - Tappa controls the tempo. But for how long? The coach has an answer.
"Results will tell," says Whitmore.
[/color]
[/color]
Comment