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Speid cites reason for Hallgrimsson
November 28, 2022
Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical committee chairman Rudolph Speid is contending that the federation decided to go with a "tried and proven" coach, which hastened the signing of Icelander Heimir Hallgrimsson, after careful assessment of the Reggae Boyz' failed World Cup qualifying campaign.
According to Speid, previously, the JFF made appointments on the potential of coaches, however, the decision was made to move away from that policy by putting the Reggae Boyz' fate in an experienced coach.
"If you notice, we had a potential person at the top, but we have tried the potential coach, and it got us nowhere.
"So we moved away from potential to tried and proven. We have chosen people who can do it and who have done it already. We have many talented players, and so we will see if we make an improvement," he told STAR Sports.
During the failed campaign, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, the 1998 two-goal World Cup hero, was in charge at the start of the qualifiers, but after six points from eight matches, which left Reggae Boyz sitting sixth in the eight-team standings on just seven points, he was replaced.
Another 1998 World Cup qualification hero, Paul Hall, took over but only managed four points from the last six matches.
Hall received good reviews from the JFF, but his attachment to English Championship club Queens Park Rangers presented complications in reaching a long-term deal before the JFF looked elsewhere to find Hallgrimsson.
The Icelander managed his country to World Cup qualification against all odds in 2018 and even masterminded a memorable 1-1 draw with Argentina.
Meanwhile, the general secretary's report by Dennis Chung, which was released to the public on Wednesday, stated that expectations and confidence were high for the World Cup qualifiers, but these dreams and aspirations were shattered.
"We were looking forward to another historical feat to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
"Significantly, the rebuilding process has started, and it is for all of us to lend the necessary support for the next campaign to be successful," it read.
It also commended the Reggae Boyz' Gold Cup performance despite a quarterfinal exit.
"After the Reggae Boyz advanced from the group stage, the eventual champions, United States, eliminated them 1-0. However, it was a workmanlike performance by the Theodore Whitmore-coached squad," the report noted.
Jamaica played seven matches in 2021, three friendly internationals, and four Gold Cup games. They won two of those matches, with four defeats and one draw.
