And then there were five
JFF to cut list of 40 candidates for Reggae Boyz coach today
Published:Monday | July 15, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
CHAIRMAN OF the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) technical committee, Rudolph Speid, says his body will reduce the more than 40 candidates being reviewed for the vacant Reggae Boyz head coach post to a shortlist of five by today.
Speid has also recommitted to the JFF’s initial estimation of having a new coach in place by early August.
The Reggae Boyz head coach job was left open after Icelandic coach Heimer Hallgrimmson resigned a few weeks ago following a disappointing Copa América tournament.
However, Speid revealed that more than 40 persons are being considered, some applicants, others recommended, and some considered directly by the JFF.
The candidates include local coaches as well as coaches from South and North America, the Caribbean, Europe, and as far as Australia.
“We have about 40 persons, the majority of them have applied,” Speid told The Gleaner yesterday.
“Some, we have head-hunted and some were recommended.
“We have compiled the list and are going through and doing our research. So we have a set of people going through the list, and we will come down to a shortlist of about five. So by tomorrow (Monday), we should be down to five. But it could also be six, depending on if we see real quality out there.”
The shortlist of candidates will be vetted and the interview processes set to commence this week as well.
The shortlist will then be submitted to the board in order of preference, but ultimately, the board will have the final say.
Speid also pointed out that economics and other factors could play an important role in the final selection.
“No matter what we do, there is one thing that can make the deal or not, and that is economics. So we will look at the people that we can afford and what they can bring to the table. Also if they want to carry all of their staff or work with some local staff to make the football beneficial to the Jamaica Football Federation
“So even though we want to get the best (coach), those things are in consideration before our final decision,” he said.
“But we are looking a coach with ability first. A coach who is tried and proven and can work at the international level.”
According to Speid, it is important for the person to come with the intention of being hands-on.
“The person must also have a willingness to look at the next crop of players for 2030 (World Cup) and must have a willingness to help our local coaches develop.
“Those three things are very important to us, but his number-one job is qualification for the World Cup.”
The technical committee chairman is confident that the resignation of Hallgrimsson will not derail the team’s qualification chances and that they remain firmly on course for 2026.
He also pointed out that the new coach will not have to start all over as Hallgrimsson was true to his word when he said he left behind information on all the players under his watch during his tenure.
“ We have had experience where we have taken too long to make the changes, but we have a year before the next World Cup game.
“And have you ever heard about the new-coach syndrome? It is real. So I don’t think so (that the qualification is in jeopardy). I think we have enough time,” he continued.
“The coach also left us his document with all the players he was talking to, all the players he was hoping to get, both young and senior players and players on the fringes. So he left a document with those players with notes and considerations.
“So the coach coming in will not have to start from scratch. He will not have to start all over, and with modern technology like Wyscout and other platforms, he can have a good assessment of how the team plays and what it does and what the players have and what their abilities are.
“So the coach will not start in the dark. After a few days’ study, he will have a very good idea of what is required to develop the Jamaican team to qualify for the World Cup.”