KINGSTON, Jamaica – Interim head coach of Jamaica’s national senior men’s football team, Paul Hall, says he is yet to extend his relationship with the Jamaica Football Federation and does not believe his withdrawn resignation in Suriname should affect his position within the programme.

Hall, who took charge of the Reggae Boyz in December after Theodore Whitmore was fired as head coach, led Jamaica to a 1-1 draw against Mexico at the National Stadium on Tuesday in their Concacaf Nations League encounter.

Hall, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the month, admitted that he is still in talks with the Michael Ricketts-led administration and was elusive when asked to defend his position during the players’ recent protest, which led to calls for the resignation of general secretary Dalton Wint.

The coach had reportedly tendered his resignation while in Suriname, where the Jamaicans were held to a 1-1 draw, but Ricketts told reporters on his return to the island that Hall’s action was done in solidarity with the players, who had indicated that they would not continue until Wint was removed from his post.

Hall, who would not confirm the reasons for his resignation, was adamant that his position remained tenable and says he expects to be on the bench when the Boyz play their next match even though talks are still ongoing with the JFF over a fresh deal.

“Do I expect to be on a bench? Yes. Listen, I’d like to put my boots on and play myself. You know, I would really like to do that but yes, I expect to be on the bench,” Hall said in response to a question from the Jamaica Observer during the post-match press conference. “Why would it (my position) not be tenable?”

“I’d rather not talk about it at this moment in time. So let’s talk about that in the future. I will make a statement in the future. Let’s not talk about that right now and let’s talk about the game please,” he added.

Hall insisted that there was no major issue preventing him from extending his contract and said he was hoping to put pen to paper soon.

“No (I have not signed a new contract). I don’t know, there is no sticking point. I have a commitment until the end of this game or the end of June and talks are taking place but there is no sticking point,” said Hall.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to sign a contract soon.”

A fourth-minute goal by Leon Bailey was canceled out by a strike from Mexican midfielder Luis Romo on the stroke of halftime as both teams played out an exciting draw in front of one of the largest crowds at the venue for a football match since the Covid-19 pandemic.

The next scheduled match for the Reggae Boyz is their Nations League return fixture against the Mexicans on March 26, 2023.