The Selection of the Senior National Football Team Head Coach

Aug 21, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

With the imminent departure of the Brazilian-born Marcio Maximo recently, following an extremely poor showing by the Golden Jaguars Senior Men’s National Football Team in the recently concluded Group Stage of the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers Opening Round; in addition to the elimination at the 2021 Gold Cup preliminary stage, the following is shared. Considering the five (5) matches played in the two competitions, from a statistical perspective. The Golden Jaguars won 1 match and lost 4, scoring 4 goals, while conceding 12 for a goal difference of – 8; and on an average basis failing to score the minimum of 1 goal per match; conceding 2 goals per match, in 4 matches.
Meanwhile, with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) executive not renewing or extending Maximo’s contract, which would have come to an end on 31.08.21 and quite rightfully so. Since the “bona-fide” figures previously mentioned displayed a dismal failure, despite a previous comment by Maximo publicly that, “the World Cup Qualifying Group, despite being tough, was winnable’! However, since then a host of public opinions have been expressed, primarily so on Facebook, with Former Senior Men’s Head Coach, Wayne Dover, leading the way in his “Opinion Corner”, while creating a significant disadvantage over other Facebook contenders, in the process. This eventually led THE way to “mudslinging, name-calling and character assassination” compounded by an accusation of biasness! Responsively, there were numerous responses forthcoming, both local (including myself) and from overseas. Since in one instance, it was indicated, “Dover is an employee of the GFF”!
Nevertheless, an article published in the Stabroek News of: 01.08.21 captioned: “The Wayne Dover question “had mentioned the names of potential individuals to fill the slot namely: Charles Pollard, Chris Nurse (overseas born and based), Wayne Dover and Bill Wilson. Also, on Facebook, Former Senior National Men’s Coach, Gordon “Ultimate Warrior” Braithwaite, was mentioned, highlighting his coaching profile at the national level previously, which also included our nation’s best ever placing, in a senior regional competition, a 4th place within the then CFU Shell Cup, back in the 90’s. Additionally, all the other coaches’ profiles were also outlined on Facebook, inclusive of: titles won locally, international exposure (both in team’s coaching and courses).
From a personal perspective, I had mentioned the name of Clyde “Oiler” Watson, who was also a recipient of a Football Scholarship from the famous Clemson University, USA. Additionally, “Oiler” was a former national midfielder with his club beginning from Pele, the nation’s most decorated football club. Matching Watson’s local accomplishments is the “Ultimate Warrior”, also a former Pele and national player, who secured a scholarship to Clemson, as well. That aside, in my humble opinion Watson as a Guyanese, remains unmatched in coaching at the highest level on the world stage. Whereby, he was a previous member of the USA Female Coaching Staff that had won a Female Senior World Cup Title! As such, whenever the advertisement comes to fruition, it should be inclusive of Guyanese residing locally and overseas, along with foreigners; last, before I forget, for those of us that were around at the time, would have had vivid recollections of “Oilers “coaching ability with the defunct G.T Cobras, participation in the CFU semi-pro league! He had developed numerous locally based players, competing among their foreign counterparts, and local clubs had benefitted from their performances.
Finally, with the Golden Jaguars senior lineup to, the best of my knowledge, not having any international engagements for the remainder of the year, the GFF executive or any appointed committee, should be in no haste to fill the vacancy for the Head Coach. One must be assured that the process would be more in-depth, upon review of the previous contract towards strengthening previous weaknesses. If, I did say too much, or I didn’t say much at all, at the end of the day, the ultimate aim first and foremost must be: “the continued development and promotion of national football” towards assuring the Guyanese public and corporate Guyana, that improved national rankings, competitiveness and an increase in local players securing overseas contracts beyond the CFU region is paramount for qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Worthy of note would be increasing local assistant coaches to four (4), compatible to the requirements of: certification internationally, experience and successes (locally within the club structure). While acknowledging the lack of developmental coaches at the senior level, which should be a consideration. In the meantime, I do hope that the Stabroek News Sports Department would correct its repeated mistake of publishing the loss by the Golden Jaguars to Trinidad and Tobago from 0-4 to the rightful score of 0-3!

Respectfully yours,
Lester Sealey

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