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In praise of Mr Whitmore and the Reggae Boyz
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Great deeds often start with a vision, and the Jamaican football authorities must be credited for their insight in providing Mr Theodore Whitmore the opportunity to showcase his talent as coach of the senior Reggae Boyz outfit.
Still a relatively young man at 39, the former midfield maestro has unleashed a squad that has been the rave at the current CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament being held in the United States. In the process, Mr Whitmore has dispelled pre-existing notions that football success at the international level hinges on the engagement of a foreign coach.
Without diminishing the contribution of assistant coach Mr Alfredo Montesso, who has only just started working with the team, it is Mr Whitmore who has personally overseen the growth of this talented batch of players who have not only waxed in professionalism and discipline, but has also steadily moved up the FIFA world rankings and is presently perched at No 55.
So impressive has been the display of the Jamaicans in their three matches so far that the team is being favourably compared with the 1998 outfit so systematically guided to the historic World Cup Finals by Brazilian Mr Rene Simoes.
Indeed, based on the proficient displays by the Jamaicans against Grenada, Guatemala and Honduras, whom they have defeated by respective margins of 4-0, 2-0 and 1-0, Jamaicans have every reason to be optimistic ahead of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers later this year.
Each coach has his individual style, with almost all having their own peculiarities. In this vein, the truculent Portuguese Mr Jose Mourinho immediately springs to mind. In contrast, Mr Whitmore's laid-back style and fledgling reputation as an under-rated rookie have worked to his advantage.
A reflective individual who clearly knows what he wants the team to accomplish, Mr Whitmore rarely seems perturbed. Simultaneously, however, his incisive decisions and sound team selections are indicative of an intimate knowledge of the game and, equally important, an awareness of all the players at his disposal.
Teams usually mirror the personality of the coach. Consequently, this Reggae Boyz aggregation is demonstrating silky skills, deft movements on and off the ball, and a creative disposition never before seen within a Jamaican national outfit.
For, it is to be remembered that Mr Whitmore, with his two breathtaking goals against Japan, was the real hero of that 1998 squad in France and placed Jamaica on the international football map.
Against the background that Mr Whitmore would have himself played with a few members of the current squad, it is to his credit that he has been able to garner the confidence and respect of the players at a time when the majority are holders of professional contracts in diverse leagues around the world.
This in itself tells the story of a man who, though still learning his craft, is tactically, technically competent and is able to motivate his players and get them to gel as a team, inflated egos notwithstanding. It is early days yet, and with confederation powerhouse USA awaiting their date with the Reggae Boyz in the quarter-finals tomorrow, the Jamaicans are no doubt bracing for their sternest encounter at the tournament to date.
Regardless of the outcome of this do-or-die affair, we believe that the Reggae Boyz have done enough, not only to justify their current status as the Number One team in the Caribbean, but have also bolstered their credentials at the global level to attract top-class opposition in lucrative friendly internationals for the foreseeable future.
Indeed, the Jamaica Football Federation, whose financial woes are well known, stands to benefit significantly from the fine display by the Reggae Boyz at the Gold Cup tournament, whether or not they progress beyond tomorrow.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...#ixzz1PgUOY5UI
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Great deeds often start with a vision, and the Jamaican football authorities must be credited for their insight in providing Mr Theodore Whitmore the opportunity to showcase his talent as coach of the senior Reggae Boyz outfit.
Still a relatively young man at 39, the former midfield maestro has unleashed a squad that has been the rave at the current CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament being held in the United States. In the process, Mr Whitmore has dispelled pre-existing notions that football success at the international level hinges on the engagement of a foreign coach.
Without diminishing the contribution of assistant coach Mr Alfredo Montesso, who has only just started working with the team, it is Mr Whitmore who has personally overseen the growth of this talented batch of players who have not only waxed in professionalism and discipline, but has also steadily moved up the FIFA world rankings and is presently perched at No 55.
So impressive has been the display of the Jamaicans in their three matches so far that the team is being favourably compared with the 1998 outfit so systematically guided to the historic World Cup Finals by Brazilian Mr Rene Simoes.
Indeed, based on the proficient displays by the Jamaicans against Grenada, Guatemala and Honduras, whom they have defeated by respective margins of 4-0, 2-0 and 1-0, Jamaicans have every reason to be optimistic ahead of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers later this year.
Each coach has his individual style, with almost all having their own peculiarities. In this vein, the truculent Portuguese Mr Jose Mourinho immediately springs to mind. In contrast, Mr Whitmore's laid-back style and fledgling reputation as an under-rated rookie have worked to his advantage.
A reflective individual who clearly knows what he wants the team to accomplish, Mr Whitmore rarely seems perturbed. Simultaneously, however, his incisive decisions and sound team selections are indicative of an intimate knowledge of the game and, equally important, an awareness of all the players at his disposal.
Teams usually mirror the personality of the coach. Consequently, this Reggae Boyz aggregation is demonstrating silky skills, deft movements on and off the ball, and a creative disposition never before seen within a Jamaican national outfit.
For, it is to be remembered that Mr Whitmore, with his two breathtaking goals against Japan, was the real hero of that 1998 squad in France and placed Jamaica on the international football map.
Against the background that Mr Whitmore would have himself played with a few members of the current squad, it is to his credit that he has been able to garner the confidence and respect of the players at a time when the majority are holders of professional contracts in diverse leagues around the world.
This in itself tells the story of a man who, though still learning his craft, is tactically, technically competent and is able to motivate his players and get them to gel as a team, inflated egos notwithstanding. It is early days yet, and with confederation powerhouse USA awaiting their date with the Reggae Boyz in the quarter-finals tomorrow, the Jamaicans are no doubt bracing for their sternest encounter at the tournament to date.
Regardless of the outcome of this do-or-die affair, we believe that the Reggae Boyz have done enough, not only to justify their current status as the Number One team in the Caribbean, but have also bolstered their credentials at the global level to attract top-class opposition in lucrative friendly internationals for the foreseeable future.
Indeed, the Jamaica Football Federation, whose financial woes are well known, stands to benefit significantly from the fine display by the Reggae Boyz at the Gold Cup tournament, whether or not they progress beyond tomorrow.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/edito...#ixzz1PgUOY5UI