FORMER Premier League champions Harbour View FC have confirmed they have parted ways with senior team head coach Andrew ‘Bowa’ Hines.

News broke on Tuesday that Hines had been sacked following a series of defeats that has left Harbour View, one of the country’s most decorated clubs, sixth in the 12-team Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) standings with 34 points from 24 games.

Harbour View’s general manager Clyde Jureidini told the Jamaica Observer that though sacked as senior team coach, Hines remains at the club pending a decision based on ongoing restructuring of the entire coaching staff.

“He was removed from the post because of a string of continuous poor results culminating in the embarrassing 2-7 defeat on Monday [away to Waterhouse FC],” Jureidini said yesterday.

The technical staff, which was responsible for the Under-20 team, will take over the seniors in an interim capacity until the end of the season.

Successful schoolboy coach Ludlow Bernard will head that unit, while being supported by assistants, the former national team duo of Ricardo ‘Bibi’ Gardner and Donald ‘Fowlie’ Stewart.

The general manager, who said that the trio began their duties yesterday, expressed optimism that the club will see a turnaround by the end of the preliminary phase of the RSPL. He noted that progression to the semi-finals and winning the championship are still on the cards.

“The performance has dipped, and we have to try and renew the fortunes to get into the top four and hopefully to win the title once we get there,” said Jureidini.

The ‘Stars of the East’, though having a game in hand, are four points behind Humble Lion FC, who currently hold on to the fourth and final semi-final place.

Hines, a former Harbour View player, took the head coaching job when Harold Thomas resigned towards the tail end of last season. Hines helped the side finish in the top-four spot, but they were eliminated at the semi-final stage.

Their league campaign this season has seen inconsistent results and the hammering at the hands of Kingston & St Andrew Football Association rivals Waterhouse on Monday meant a third loss in a row. Harbour View have also not tasted victory in six consecutive games.

— Sanjay Myers