FORMER national youth captain, Alex Thomas will be the next head coach of Molynes United, claimed a highly placed Jamaica Observer source.

Thomas, who resigned from Arnett Gardens in 2021 after two years in charge, is expected to be announced as the new man in charge of Molynes United in short order.

Efforts to get confirmation from the club’s hierarchy proved futile as everyone was tight-lipped while hinting that a press release will be sent out with the announcement of the new coach.

Thomas will replace Garnet Lawrence who led Molynes United to 11th place last season — a run that included of four wins, three draws, and a massive 15 defeats in 22 games.

Thomas, who captained Jamaica’s Under-17 team to the 1999 World Cup in New Zealand, was spotted on the touchlines instructing when Molynes United defeated Arnett Gardens 2-0 in an Under-20 match over the weekend.

He has one cap for Jamaica’s senior team, which he earned under Serbian Coach Bora Milutinovic in the Lunar Cupin China.

The 39-year-old Thomas comes to Molynes United with a wealth of experience, having coached at his alma mater Wolmer’s Boys’ at every level and having been appointed head coach in 2018.

Having spent nine years coaching the Wolmer’s Under-16 team and serving as an assistant coach in the Manning Cup, he replaced Rudolph Speid.

Thomas, who played for Arnett Gardens, was appointed head coach in 2019 and led the team in the truncated 2021 season to ninth place with eight points from 10 games, losing six times.

He would later resign in October saying he needed time to reassess his goals and aspirations in a period of retrospection and renewal.

He was replaced by Paul “Tegat” Davis who led Arnett Garden to third in the regular season with 12 wins, six draws, and four defeats from 22 games and into the play-offs.

— Howard Walker