Hall Expected To Book A Return On Reggae Boyz’ Coach Journey
JFF remain locked in negotiations to strike a deal with England-based ex-player
Paul Hall, the London-based former interim head coach, has yet to sign a contract with the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to become head coach with the Reggae Boyz.
Since his interim contract expired, the former national player has been in negotiations with the JFF to strike a deal.
Rudolph Speid, head of the JFF technical committee, has recently been in England and held a number of meetings with Hall’s agent to discuss a contract. Hall was appointed on an interim basis after stepping up from assistant coach to Theodore Whitmore in December, who was sacked midway through Jamaica’s dismal CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.
Former national midfielder Whitmore has recently been revealed as the new Mount Pleasant head coach, who compete in the Jamaica Premier League.
Yet Hall has only achieved two victories and suffered six defeats in his 11 matches in charge, with the JFF criticised by some leading local coaches and pundits for considering the 50-year-old as head coach.
Hall failed miserably in six CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers, bagging just four points as the Boyz crashed out of the campaign. But results improved in the CONCACAF Nations League, including a creditable 1-1 stalemate against Mexico.
Former national player Hall will not be in charge of the Boyz for the forthcoming Austria Mini Football Tournament in Vienna (20-26 August). As he is unavailable, due to coaching commitments with the U23 team QPR in England, then his assistant Merron Gordon steps up.
Gordon, assisted by Vassell Reynolds, will take charge of the Boyz against FIFA World Cup-bound Ghana, Morocco and hosts Qatar.
Gordon, who managed the Reggae Girlz for three games in 2019 with an unbeaten record, could well be considered by the JFF as a potential new permanent head coach for the Girlz.
Lorne Donaldson’s interim coach contract with the JFF ended on 19 July, a day after the CONCACAF Championship in Mexico concluded. He guided the Girlz to third place and an automatic berth at the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Hall, who remains locked in negotiations with the JFF, is rumoured to be close to sealing a deal by the end of this month. The JFF are aware that the Boyz need to be prepared to tackle both the CONCACAF Nations League and the prestigious CONCACAF Gold Cup next year.
With those two tournaments offering excellent coverage for the Boyz, and the Girlz appearing in next year’s FIFA World Cup finals, the JFF has signed a new sponsorship deal with adidas.
The German sportswear giant will become kit supplier from January to both the Boyz and Girlz. The contract was brokered with assistance from Sports 2 Business Sports Group and former Reggae Boy Fitzroy Simpson.
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