Rodu Out, Timo In
■Fiji FA have had to terminate his employment contract but have got a provisision should he change his mind about getting vaccinated - Fiji FA CEO, Mohammed Yusuf
Fiji Football Association technical director Timo Jankowski is the new interim coach for the Digicel Fiji Women’s football team preparing for the Women’s World Cup 2023 qualifiers scheduled next year.
Jankowski replaces national women’s coach Marika Rodu whose contract has been terminated following his refusal to be vaccinated.
Fiji Football Association chief executive officer Mohammed Yusuf said yesterday that they have given Rodu two months to be jabbed but since he has failed to comply Jankowski is now interim coach.
“Since the Government introduced the new policy of ‘No Jab No Job’ we had asked him (Rodu) to consider,” Yusuf said.
“We gave him two months, we waited for him but there was no update,” he said.
“We at the Fiji FA respect his choice - we have had to terminate his employment contract but we have got a provision should he change his mind about getting vaccinated. Fiji FA is ready to re-negotiate and give him another contract.”
Yusuf added that Fiji FA was ready to invest on Rodu.
“Fiji FA is ready to invest in him towards his development as a coach, we have a lot plans for him.
“Now we are awaiting his decisions on the matter.
“Rodu is one of Fiji’s most successful local football coaches.
“He has done wonderful work with the men’s U15 and U23 plus his marvelous work with the women’s team.
“It’s a big loss but we will continue with the women’s world qualifier campaign with Timo.
“Hopefully good sense prevails so that we can sort things out.
“At the moment the technical director will take over and look after training until we make the announcement for the new coach.”
Meanwhile former Ba football midfielder Daniel Krishneel is the new head coach for the Men in Black.
According to Fiji FA, Ba FC head coach Kamal Swamy has been relieved off his duties.
“Former Ba FC midfielder Daniel Krishneel comes in as Swamy’s replacement in coaching the Men-in-Black for the remainder of the season,” association president Rynal Kumar said.
“Our income has been severely affected by the impact of the deadly virus and we could not afford to pay Swamy and that is the reason we have released him,” he said.
“I on behalf of my executives, officials and players we would like to thank him for his contribution to Ba FC and wish him the best in his future endeavours.
“Daniel is not new to Ba FC, he has played and has also coached our youth team a few years ago.
“He is a C-License coach and will be doing his B-License soon; we have full support for him.”
Krishneel’s first assignment is on October 24 when Ba takes on Suva in round seven of the Digicel Premier League fixture at the ANZ Stadium at 3pm.