With Mount Pleasant Football Academy set to move on from Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore as head coach, Sporting Director Paul Christie says the club’s leadership is planning to overhaul its current football model in an attempt to be more sustainable financially.

Christie confirmed to the Jamaica Observer on Sunday that Whitmore and his coaching staff’s contracts, which expire at the end of July, would not be renewed.

CHRISTIE … what we do know is that the present model that we have is not sustainable financially

After his sacking as Reggae Boyz head coach in December 2021, Whitmore was appointed at the St Ann-based club in July 2022. He led the club to their first Jamaica Premier League title that season, beating Cavalier FC in the final. He guided them to the final again last season but was unable to get by Cavalier this time around, losing on penalties.

Following the final last month at the National Stadium, Whitmore told the Observer of his intentions of regrouping the squad for preseason in July ahead of their Caribbean Cup campaign later this summer.

However, Christie says owner Peter Gould and the club’s leadership believed in giving more attention to their academy after years of investment at the senior level.

Mount Pleasant FA owner Peter Gould

“What we do know is that the present model that we have is not sustainable financially from staff to players because the salaries for just players alone for Mount Pleasant could easily run any other club in Jamaica so as it is right now, the model that we’re having after careful consideration, what we’re looking at, we’re trying to make some adjustments on the way forward,” he told the Observer.

“[Whitmore and his staff] have been officially communicated to that their contracts will not be renewed so they’re not being terminated. It’s just that the organisation is moving in a different direction which will be more academy focused because the ownership would have recognised that the present model is not sustainable at this time.”

Theodore Whitmore’s contract as head coach of Mount Pleasant will not be renewed when it expires at the end of July. (Photo: Karl Mclarty

Christie, though, was grateful for Whitmore’s contributions over the two seasons and hasn’t ruled out his involvement in another role at the club going forward.

“The organisation has nothing but respect for Mr Whitmore. We have enjoyed a respectful relationship over the past two years, he has been a true [part of] Mount Pleasant so the door isn’t closed on him but at this point, the ownership has to pivot. Mr Whitmore was and will always be part of Mount Pleasant. He’s also likely to be considered in the way forward but at this point, the ownership is moving in a different direction.”

Successful schoolboy football head coach with Jamaica College, Davion Ferguson was Whitmore’s assistant during the two years but could be transitioning into a role with the academy.

Outgoing assistant coach Davion Ferguson could be moving into a position with the club’s youth academny. .

“He would have been informed [about the non-renewal of his contract] from the senior level but there’s consideration for him at the academy level, very serious consideration,” Christie said.

Though not confirming any possible replacements for Whitmore, Christie says the demand is high.

“More players from the academy will be involved in the senior team but the coaches and other dynamics are not confirmed as yet. As we speak, we’re in constant discussion because there are many people over the past two years who would have expressed an interest in joining the organisation so we’re going through the list and we’ll make an official announcement as soon as things are confirmed,” he said.

Despite the change in direction, Christie doesn’t believe it means they will struggle from a competitive standpoint going forward.

“It’s football so you’ll pivot and make adjustments as we go along. We’ll be okay, we have a long-standing desire from the leadership in the organisation to participate in regional competitions so that’s also been taking into consideration as well.”