Up in the air
While welcoming support from the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Vinimore “Vin” Blaine remains undecided about his future as interim head coach of the senior Reggae Girlz.
Blaine’s comments follow news that the JFF board had accepted the recommendation of the technical and development committee to continue with the veteran tactician and his staff, pointing to what it deemed insufficient evidence to support players’ concerns expressed in a letter sent just over a week ago.
The two-page letter, signed by 20 players, cited among other things, a lack of confidence in the technical acumen and leadership style of Blaine and his assistants, which the players said run counter to what is required to take them to the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year.
“Even though they [the JFF] say that, I have not met with them to really discuss anything. I was waiting on them to make their decision but I have not really decided if I am staying or going,” Blaine told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday.
“I spoke to them prior and told them that I won’t say I am resigning until I see something come out. So now that I know what their intentions are, I am waiting to sit down with the president and discuss the way forward,” he added.
The country’s governing football body, in a release, said it is in its best interest to continue with the current coaching staff, with the progress closely monitored and evaluated periodically.
However, the Observer has learnt that some players are extremely disappointed with the decision to retain Blaine and his team and are also considering their future with the programme.
This, Blaine said, was always expected and the lack of player acceptance towards the coaching staff was in fact the main reason for his hesitancy.
“It’s still going to be a toxic environment because if I stay, I will have to remove some people and I will have to take a different approach towards the players because I know not all the players were in agreement with removing the staff.
“What JFF sent out gives you a positive review so any coach would say the federation is supporting them, but when you look at the locker room when you look at how many people signed the document and what is happening around the team, you might have people that are still unhappy with my presence,” Blaine said.
“My mind was really not to go back, I was about 80 per cent sure I would leave and I haven’t changed that view totally. I will have to hold conversations with the staff because it’s not about me alone,” he noted.
Among the players’ criticisms of Blaine were an alleged lack of communication and professionalism, including the absence of daily schedules and absence of staff without explanation.
The players also slammed Blaine staff’s tactical methods and the absence of specific preparations before matches.
But with the July 4-18 Concacaf Women’s Championship in Mexico now less than two months away, the JFF believes introducing changes at this time would not be prudent.
“The JFF has the full confidence in the coaching staff and the team members but recognises the need to share in and support the process with some critical core values of the organisation, including professionalism, teamwork and respect,” the release said.
To that end, the JFF pledged to do everything within its power “to ensure the team is comfortable and can perform at their optimum to achieve Jamaica’s second consecutive qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup”.
JFF General Secretary Dalton Wint backed the decision to retain the veteran tactician, who has in the past been instrumental in the women’s programme.
“Vin has a very good record; he was close to qualifying a team to the World Cup, and if we had the same amount of professionals we have now, we would have qualified before, and his perform speaks for itself. So I absolutely defend the appointment,” Wint told the Observer.
Regardless of whether Blaine stays on or not, Wint promised that the Girlz’s preparations for the upcoming assignment would not be affected.
“Things have been in place and we will continue with what was in place. Nothing has stopped for us. We are looking to get the Girlz at least one camp; the ideal situation is to get them two camps, but if that doesn’t materialise we will have at least one camp in June,” said Wint.
Veteran football administrator Carvel Stewart — who is a long-time football associate of Blaine since his days at Harbour View Football Club — believes the JFF made the right decision, as the initial move gave the impression that the players were in charge.
“Frankly, I believe that would have been the correct decision because you can’t give the appearance that the players are selecting, or [are] able to dismiss the coach,” Stewart said, adding that the main focus should now be on mending fences ahead of their big assignment.
“My experience over the years is that when issues are resolved, some people will be dislocated and then the rest will come on-board and give their all. One or two players may decide that they are not participating, but the others will come back in and fall in line,” he stated.
Meanwhile, publicist Carole Beckford, who in a previous interview said the JFF needs to be decisive and clear about its focus on maximising the team’s potential, had this to say: “We hope for the best for the team on the road to the World Cup.”
For this summer’s Concacaf Women’s Championship, Jamaica are drawn in Group A alongside world champions United States, host nation Mexico and Caribbean neighbours Haiti.