Oliveira: I am not a magician
Brazilian coach says he needs time to implement his ideas at Chapelton Maroons
Published:Tuesday | January 31, 2023 | 12:29 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Brazilian coach Clovis de Oliveira arrived in the island yesterday to begin his stint with Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club Chapelton Maroons and the former Reggae Boyz coach insisted he will not be affected by the internal turmoil that plunged the club into chaos. According to Oliveira he has come to breathe new life into the club which recently sacked coach Lenworth Hyde.
“I respect the former coach (Hyde). I respect his plan. He is a very good friend of mine. He was in my course when I was technical director of the Reggae Boyz. So nothing about that (will affect me). I have come with new life, with another project and plan the things coach (Rene) Simoes started some 20 years ago. Now I have this chance, this opportunity and it makes me so proud, so happy, I will try to do it with Chapelton Maroons,” he said.
Oliveira, who coached Jamaica’s senior team from 2000 to 2001, declared that he is no ‘magician’ and will need time to implement his ideas. However, he guaranteed that they will start to see his influence on the team in about three weeks.
“I am a professional football coach, I am not a magician. We need time to work with them. I watched the team playing last month but things have changed. Mr Michael (Scott) has hired some experienced players, some good players. I cannot promise titles and things like that but I promise to give more than my best.
“I know the culture of Jamaica. I know the potential of the players and I have no doubt the team is going to improve and get better. You cannot give a time before but no doubt the team will give better performances,” he continued.
“They will improve with discipline and with the Brazilian style of work. I cannot tell you when it will happen but some of the fans will see it in two weeks, three weeks, something different from Chapelton team. Hopefully, we will also get better results.”
Oliveira added that he is not here to change the way Jamaicans play but will add a bit of Brazilian flavour to the enormous potential that exist on the island. “ With the Brazilian way to play the game and the potential of the Jamaican player, there is no doubt that they are going to improve. But we won’t change them, we will add and put together the Brazilian style with Jamaican skills.
“We are going to need a little bit of time. This group (players) from Chapelton do not know me, how my philosophy works, how I like (to do things). But they must be first of all be disciplined. Without discipline you are not going to reach any place. That is what I am going to ask the group of players, to be together and try to make one family and make Chapelton get a good result,” he said.
Club owner Michael Scott was also boosted by the arrival of the Brazilian.
“We are just trying to survive the league. We are trying to be in the top 12 that is all we are looking for this year, and I think this (Oliveira’s arrival) will give us a chance to survive to be one of the top 12,” he commented.