Barnes saw it coming… but coach ‘disappointed’ he was cut ahead of Gold Cup

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

GIVEN the monetary position of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), John Barnes had actually resigned himself to the reality that his agreement as head coach of the Reggae Boyz would not have actually been extended.

What he wasn’t relying on however, is the JFF severing ties ahead of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“I think we knew that given the financial constraints the contract would not have been renewed, especially with the team failing to make the final round of the World Cup qualifiers,” Barnes stated, following Jamaica’s 3-2 success over Panama in a friendly global at the National Stadium on Sunday night.

Barnes organized thenational program last November, in the consequences of the termination of Brazilian technical director Ren? Simoes, and at first registered for a seven-month offer that was slated to end at the conclusion of the July 4-26 Gold Cup, which will be kept in the United States.

AGREEMENT TERMINATION

With just a few days left up until its expiration, the JFF on Sunday took the choice to end the agreement.

“It was a bit disappointing. I was looking forward to going to the Gold Cup. I expected to, but have to respect the JFF’s decision to give coach Whitmore time to prepare for what will be a long and difficult journey ahead,” Barnes kept in mind.

English League One group Tranmere Rovers, the group of Reggae Boy Ian Goodison, had actually currently accepted the previous England global. Barnes would have continued on as head coach of the program up until the end of next month’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, a face-off of the area’s finest groups and leading coaches.

Jamaica got approved for the competition by virtue of winning the Digicel Caribbean Championship, under the management of Barnes, in December.

The task of leading the nationwide group has actually now been up to assistant coach Theodore Whitmore, who has actually been offered a 1 year agreement by the JFF.

The in your area based Whitmore has actually currently two times been called interim senior nationwide football head coach, momentarily taking control of the program after the sacking of both Serbian coach Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic, who was changed by Simoes, and the subsequent sacking of Simoes.

Whitmore effectively led the group to 3 vital home wins in the closing rounds of the CONCACAF Wold Cup certifying semi-finals, which saw Jamaica directly miss out on out on development, it appeared to have actually been the agreement at the time by the JFF that the previous Reggae Boy did not have the needed experience or stature to lead the nationwide group.

Change of mind

It would appear, nevertheless, that the JFF has actually had a change of mind.

“We thought it necessary to give coach Whitmore enough time to prepare for the upcoming tournament,” head of the JFF, captain Horace Burrell, stated.

“We have been paying close attention to coach Whitmore over the last few months and have no doubts that he can successfully lead the team,” he included.

Initially not anticipated to sign up with Tranmere up until after the Gold Cup in July, Barnes will now report to the club for preseason training.

In an unbeaten 10-match stint in charge of the nationwide senior group, the previous Liverpool fantastic taped a mainly effective trip of task with 6 triumphes and 4 draws.