Former captain of US men’s national team appointed head coach of Golden Jaguars

Former captain of the United States (US)Men’s National Team and a highly experienced international coach, Thomas Dooley was appointed new head coach of the Guyana Senior Men’s National Football Team.
This marks the beginning of a new era for the Golden Jaguars as the Guyana Football Federation embarks on a strategic push to elevate the national programme, both in terms of performance and professionalism.
“I am delighted to welcome Coach Dooley to the GFF family,” GFF President Wayne Forde stated, adding, “He joins us at the beginning of a new cycle for the Senior Men’s National Team Programme and has the opportunity to introduce his coaching philosophy and build a strong technical staff around him. As a highly qualified gaffer with years of experience, he brings a full set of tools and expertise for the change in direction we would like to see. He will have our complete support, and I look forward to meeting with him in the coming weeks to charter a new course for our beloved Golden Jaguars Programme.”

Dooley brings with him an exceptional résumé shaped by decades at the highest levels of the game, both as a player and as a coach. As a player, he earned 81 caps for the US, captained the team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and played in two World Cups overall.
He was inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010 and was widely recognised during his career, earning several “Best XI” awards in Major League Soccer and helping lead the US to the Round of 16 in the 1994 World Cup. His professional playing career also included a stint at Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.
On the side-lines, his coaching career has been equally decorated. He served as National Head Coach of the Philippines (2014–2018), leading them to an unbeaten qualification campaign for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and setting 11 national team records.
He was also the sporting director of Viettel FC in Vietnam, where he helped the club win its first championship in 23 years. Other portfolios include assistant coaching roles with the US Men’s National Team and US U20 Men’s National Team, working under renowned coach Jürgen Klinsmann and helping the youth team qualify for the U20 FIFA World Cup, and a UEFA Pro License holder, the highest certification in football coaching globally.
Dooley also has experience in Germany’s Bundesliga, Major League Soccer (MLS), and US youth development, making him one of the most well-rounded coaches ever appointed to lead Guyana’s senior men’s programme.
“I am truly honoured and excited to take on the role of Head Coach for the Guyana National Team… I have been deeply impressed by the talent and potential of this group of players, and I firmly believe they can achieve even greater heights with the right mindset, attitude, and sense of responsibility. There is a bright future ahead for this team, and I am eager to work closely with the players, coaching staff, management, media, and fans to unlock that potential. Together, we can write new and inspiring chapters in Guyana’s football story, driven by a shared passion and commitment to excellence,” Dooley related.
He will officially assume his role in the coming days, with immediate focus on assessing the current player pool, building out his technical team, and preparing for the 2026 campaigns.
He is also expected to visit Guyana shortly for introductory meetings and technical briefings.
The GFF sees this appointment as a long-term investment in the national team’s structure, playing identity, and competitiveness across regional and international tournaments.