WHITMORE WALKS
REGGAE BOYZ HEAD COACH RESIGNS AS CONTRACT DISPUTE DRAGS ON
JAMAICA FOOTBALL Federation (JFF) board members were set to meet last night to discuss contingencies to put in place to deal with national interim head coach Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore’s resignation yesterday afternoon.
Sources told The Gleaner that Whitmore walked away from the job after running out of patience with the prolonged discussions regarding a permanent contract to lead the Reggae Boyz from the touchline.
The former national player was promised a permanent contract last summer, following Jamaica’s runners-up finish to hosts the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, talks became complicated as it was reported that the JFF had offered Whitmore US$3,000 (around J$373,000) per month, a figure significantly less than the estimated US$45,000 his predecessor Winfried Schäfer earned between 2013 and 2016. It was also said that Whitmore was displeased with specific undisclosed clauses in the proposed contract.
Whitmore was set to meet with the JFF at their New Kingston headquarters for further discussions yesterday; however, after not showing up, board members received an email from him revealing his continued discontent with the situation and his resignation.
BUSY WEEK
In spite of this email, JFF President Michael Ricketts said that he was unaware of what had transpired as he was busy over the last few days aiding the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association with one of its officials, who is currently arrested on a drug charge. However, Ricketts was among those copied on Whitmore’s email.
The Gleaner further understands that last night’s scheduled meeting was expected to focus on the content of the email, and also about who would take charge of the national team in its two friendly international games on the 26th and 29th of this month against St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, respectively, in the event that there was no resolution between the federation and Whitmore.
It is believed that interim national assistant coach Jerome Waite, also the head coach of Arnett Gardens FC, may take charge in these games, which come days after the Red Stripe Premier League final on April 23.