Latest News
Hyde targets being a top football coach
February 20, 2024
National 400 metres hurdler Jaheel Hyde is positioning himself for a seamless transition after his track and field career, as he recently completed his FIFA 'C' licence.
Hyde, a standout footballer for Wolmer's Boys' School, is taking inspiration in his football coaching journey from his father, Lenworth and Josep 'Pep' Guardiola.
Hyde coaches Dunbeholden in the island's top tier Jamaica Premier League and Clarendon College in the schoolboy football daCosta Cup. Guardiola guides Manchester City in the English Premier League and Champions League.
"I'm just looking towards my future, as I know I can't run track forever. It's similar to a person doing a collegiate degree while still competing, so that's the reasoning behind it and the route I wanted to take. Somebody that I look up to is 'Pep' as I love his style of play and how he gets the players to play for him.
"I also look up to my father with his possession type of football and the patience, building through the different lines approach. I watch him a lot. Whenever his team plays, we talk about them at the end, and I am trying to follow in his footsteps," Hyde explained.
Hyde represented Wolmer's at the Manning Cup level and the under-17 Reggae Boyz, with pundits believing he could have made it professionally in the sport.
PRO LICENCE
According to the 27-year-old Hyde, he aims to achieve the ultimate Pro Licence, as he eyes coaching a top club on the European market and has Champions League ambitions. He argued that he doesn't have reservations about choosing track and field over football.
"At the time, that was where all roads were leading to, so I definitely don't regret it. However, if I were to decide now, I would choose football.
"In the coaching aspect, I want to make it to the top and coach in Europe, the Champions League and any top division there. I certainly would want to be the first Jamaican to achieve that," he stated.
Hyde, a three-time national champion in the 400 metres hurdles, has his work cut out for him on the track with the Paris Olympic Games set for July 26-August 11 and shared that he has more things to accomplish off the track.
"Each one (level) comes with a different type of experience, so my goal is to get the 'B' licence, then the 'A' and complete the Pro Licence, so I have three more pathways to go," he added.
