I have nothing to prove at Portmore - Gardner
Former national captain, Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner says that he has nothing to prove to anyone when he takes the sidelines as Portmore United’s head coach for the 2019/2020 Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season.
Gardner, who was in charge of his boyhood club Harbour View FC from June 2017 to December 2018, abdicated his post after the Stars of the East got off to the worst start in 20 years last season.
“I don’t think I have anything to prove to anyone. I am a person who has always demand from myself. I mark myself very hard, nobody marks me as hard as I mark myself, whether I am playing or coaching, it’s the same principle,” he said.
Under his tutelege, Harbour View won two games, drew seven and lost eight before he resigned last season.
But Gardner, who spent 14 seasons as a professional in England, mainly with Bolton, says as long as the players give their full effort and commitment in training, he anticipates another good season for Portmore.
“There are no concerns. The players are receptive, they are
working very hard and they come in every day. They act as professionals because the club demands this from them. They also demand this from themselves, so it’s a very good atmosphere and it’s an atmosphere I am happy to be part of. I am really looking forward to the new season and I am sure these players are as well. They are working hard and everything is going well and according to plan.
BETTER PLAYERS
“Wherever you go in the world professionalism is professionalism. My job is to get the best out of these players and try to help them be a better person not only on the field but off it as well. If they can do that, they will be better players on the field also. So I have nothing to prove, I will go out and keep challenging myself. Portmore is a challenging club and it demands from you but I am committed and I am here to do a job and there is no pressure,” he reasoned.
The former Wolmer’s Boys star has also been criticised in some quarters for being too relaxed, and that he needs to fire up his players for matches but he says he knows when to hold and when to fold.
“Sometimes the moment allows you to express yourself and bring out the different side of you but at the same time you need a balance in the team so you can get the best out of them. These players are used to me because I have been with them since the back end of last season, so we know each other and what is required of ourselves on and off the field and from the football club. So we are all here to do a job and we intend to do it to the best of our ability,” he said.
Gardner represented Harbour View as a youth before his transfer to English Premier League (EPL) side Bolton Wanderers in 1998.