‘LET BYGONES BE BYGONES’
Former national coach says Donaldson’s impending appointment needs to be issue-free
WITH LORNE Donaldson close to making a return to the national senior women’s programme, former national women’s head coach Charles Edwards says that both he and the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) parties must work hard to mend their relationship with the final round of the Women’s World Cup qualifiers fast approaching.
As reported by The Gleaner, Donaldson is on the verge of being named the next head coach of the Reggae Girlz, two weeks after the resignation of Vin Blaine.
According to a source familiar with the matter, the JFF technical committee recommended Donaldson take the reins following the departure of Blaine on May 17.
Blaine resigned following a letter signed by 20 players asking for his removal. The JFF had recommended that Blaine remain in the post.
According to another source, the JFF executive, having met last night, is leaning towards ratifying the committee’s recommendation, with an announcement expected today.
Donaldson left the programme in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences with the JFF after guiding the t eam towards qualification to the final round of the Tokyo Olympic qualifiers in 2019. His stint as boss followed the departure of Hue Menzies in late December.
With the Concacaf Women’s Championship set to begin next month in Mexico, Edwards said that common ground must be reached and that both parties must foster an amicable relationship given what is at stake.
“In terms of the relationship between Lorne and the JFF, we have to think about bygones being bygones. We know that there are some issues, but let’s hope that they can sit down like big men and sort it out and come to a level term of understanding of the direction where they are going and get the programme going,” Edwards told
The Gleaner.
“Because the programme is bigger than all the issues right now and we are in dire need of somebody to get in and start the (preparations).”
FINAL ROUND
Those preparations for next month’s final round took a hit after the players sent a letter to the JFF in April demanding Blaine’s dismissal citing a lack of communication and professionalism in their preparations during the first round of the qualifiers. Jamaica had won all their games to advance to the final round.
When contacted by The Gleaner yesterday, Donaldson said the JFF had not reached out to him since his interview with the technical committee.
“I haven’t really spoken to anybody about the job. I had a conversation with the technical committee and that was it. I haven’t spoken with anybody recently in the last week about anything else,” Donaldson said.
“I cannot comment on something that I don’t officially know about.”
The Gleaner understands that Englishman Jonathan Morgan was in serious contention for the job but his appointment as Burnley Women’s head coach led to a re-evaluation of the matter and the eventual recommendation.
Edwards says that Donaldson’s appointment, should it be confirmed, gives the team continuity given his familiarity with the players, but that there needs to be an elimination of any issues that could further hamper the team’s preparations.
“Too often we have seen situations get out of hand because of ego and I am hoping that with this one, we can sort it out and get the programme going,” Edwards said.
“We have no time to be allowing petty issues to come in. Even though some of the issues maybe serious but let’s call them petty right now because they are resolvable.”
Jamaica are drawn to face World Champions, the United States, Mexico and Haiti in Group A of the Concacaf Women’s Championship, which acts as the final round of qualifying for the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.
The top t wo teams will qualify automatically for the Women’s World Cup, while the third-lace team will play in an intercontinental play-off.