Anderson optimistic over Donaldson contract
Published:Wednesday | September 21, 2022 | 12:06 AM
With the national senior men’s coaching situation secure, Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) vice-president, Raymond Anderson, anticipates finalising the details for the extension of interim senior women’s head coach, Lorne Donaldson, which will follow in short order.
Donaldson, who took over the interim job in June for the Conacacf Women’s Championship, has been in talks to finalise an extension that will see him take charge of the Reggae Girlz at next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Donaldson had indicated earlier this month that he is targeting wrapping up details of the contract after the team’s South Korea tour. Anderson says that while Donaldson’s contract is pending ratification for the board, he sees no indications of any further barriers to making the extension official.
“We are trying to have a board meeting before Thursday to really straighten all coaches to fully sign on. The executive has signed on but the board will have to sign off on it and other things,” Anderson told The Gleaner.
Anderson said that a meeting with the finance committee was held yesterday to ensure the final details were organised, not only for Donaldson, but for new national senior men’s head coach, Heimir Hallgrímsson, who was unveiled last week.
Donaldson, who guided the Girlz to back-to-back World Cup qualifications, said previously that he was optimistic about a deal being completed before the South Korea international friendlies. Anderson concurs, setting a timeline for the end of the week for the matter to be finalised.
“They (the finance committee) will look at it in more detail and advise us accordingly. We want him to be comfortable. We don’t see any indication that the board won’t sign off but the board has the final say. But before the week finishes that will happen,” Anderson said.
“From where I sit, it will be addressed in totality.”
JFF finance committee chairperson Dennis Chung made assurances that funds would be made available to pay Donaldson despite the package being put in place for Hallgrímsson.
“All of that effort is being made. There are some funds coming in to go to the World Cup. We think that the Girlz, they are a brand opportunity. Nothing is certain, but we feel confident in the brand that we are pushing forward,” Chung said.
The Reggae Girlz will have two more opportunities in October and November to host international friendlies this year as they continue their preparations, with Donaldson alluding to a game in the United States and returning to Jamaica in November.