KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former coach Hubert Busby has been named head coach of the Jamaican National senior Women’s Team “with immediate effect” the Jamaica Football Federation announced on Friday.

Busby who was the goalkeeper coach when the Reggae Girlz qualified for their first FIFA World Cup, and head coach between 2020 and 2021, takes over from Lorne Donaldson who led the Girlz to an historic knockout berth in their second successive appearance in 2023.

It is a big U-Turn for Busby and the JFF who up to late last year denied that he was in contention for the job after he was forced to step down in 2021 due to allegations of sexual misconduct during his time as Vancouver Whitecaps Coach between 2010 and 2012.

A release from the JFF on Friday said “after careful consideration and due process, our technical committee has recommended the immediate reappointment of Hubert Busby as head coach of the Senior Women’s National Team.

“This is Mr Busby’s second stint with the team, having held the position from 2020 to 2021. He was removed from the position when the JFF requested FIFA to investigate unsavory media reports originating in Europe.

FIFA subsequently cleared Mr Busby,” the release stated.

Busby will take charge of the women’s squad which will play two international friendlies against Brazil on June 1 and June 4 in Brazil.

The JFF also thanked Xavier Gilbert who had filled in as the interim head coach since October 2023 and will revert to his previous role as assistant coach.

-Paul A Reid