The senior National Men’s football team, commonly called Golden Jaguars could have a new appointed head coach in 2018 since the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is expected to advertise for the position.
GFF President Wayne Forde in a media briefing on Thursday responding to questions whether current interim Head Coach Wayne Dover would see his appointment being confirmed stated, “we will advertise for a head coach and everyone will be eligible to apply including Mr [Wayne] Dover and that will be done very early next year”.
With the departure of Jamaal Shabazz in 2016 after a heart rendering 2-4 loss at home to Jamaica in the Gold Cup qualifiers, Dover, who was deputising Shabazz was appointed to the new role.
Guyana’s Golden Jaguars have endured a year of mixed fortunes on the field. The highlight would certainly been their 1-1 draw against powerhouses Trinidad and Tobago in November
His first task came this year against Martinque where Jaguars played to an uninspiring goalless draw at the McKenzie Sports Club Ground in Linden. His other three results were a 1-1 score line against Trinidad and Tobago Soca Warriors and defeats to Grenada (1-0) and Indonesia (2-1).
According to Forde, the head coach and the Technical Director (Ian Greenwood) should coexist to the extent they bring progression to the team.
“What is important is that you have a national team coach and technical director that forms a working synergy. The TD [Technical Director] prepares the nation’s programme, the head coach prepares the nation’s team but unless there is a synergy between those two key positions then you generally will have a disjointed approach”, the GFF head contended.
He added, “we don’t not view the national team set up from an individual frame, we look at what is necessary for the progression of team and the advancement of the executive committee vision on how they want to see the national team develop”.
Though due diligence is expected to occur regarding the selection process, Forde voiced that the new position will be filled soonest since the CONCACAF League of Nations tournament commences in September.
The League of Nations tournament featuring all 41 CONCACAF teams and is set to replace most international friendlies for CONCACAF sides, will be split into three divisions based on the strength of the teams and will feature promotion and relegation.
The tournament will also serve as qualifying for the Gold Cup, as well as forming the basis for future World Cup qualifying seeding.
