Last summer, Harold Thomas was given the task to take Mount Pleasant Football Academy to local and regional success. With that stint cut short, he now has the job to keep Dunbeholden FC in the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL).

Thomas rejoined the St Catherine-based club less than two weeks ago, replacing Byjeon Thomas, with the club winless since November and just above the relegation zone in 12th on 15 points. The new head coach bounce has yet to take effect as they lost 2-0 to Tivoli Gardens last Sunday and drew 1-1 with Vere Phoenix United on Wednesday.

With a few days left in the January transfer window, Thomas believes changes are needed as soon as possible.

“There’s need for rejuvenation, it seems. Not everybody can play at this level so now is the time and opportunity to make some changes. There’s not much you can do without human resources,” he told the
Sunday Observer.

It was Thomas’ first set of league games since 2023 when he was in charge of Dunbeholden, who he guided to the JPL final in 2022. He joined Mount Pleasant shortly after and took charge of their academy before being appointed as head coach in June 2024, following the club’s decision not to renew the contract of Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore.

However, he was unable to lead the team in the JPL as he and the new technical staff was sacked by owner Peter Gould in less than three months after the St Ann-based club lost their opening Concacaf Caribbean Cup group game to eventual champions Cavalier 2-0 at Sabina Park in August. Whitmore and his former staff were reappointed days later.

Despite the swift decision, Thomas says he holds no grudges towards Mount Pleasant.

“This is football. Any of us that knows the game realises that you work and live at the mercy of the owners of the club. They don’t have to have a good reason or a bad reason, there’s need to make their decision so I can live with that,” he said.

He came close to JPL success with Dunbeholden three years ago but now has a much different objective with the club battling relegation. They’re 12th on 16 points, just two points above the drop zone. They’ve registered just one win from their last 12 outings but Thomas believes moving up the table is a reality.

“That’s my personal commitment to the group. It’s a team that I love, it’s a community-based organisation. I live in Portmore and it’s probably the easiest opportunity to get involved, so I’ve chosen [to return],” he said.

“If I never felt that way, I wouldn’t be in football. There are a number of games left, it can be done with the right attitude so let’s see what happens. I’m not afraid of defeat, I’ve coached many winnings teams before and if I have to coach one that doesn’t do much winning then so be it.”

There were reports that the dressing room had lost trust in their former coach Byjeon Thomas but the returning Thomas is hoping to remove the tension going forward.

“It’s all about transparency. If the players are convinced that these are the right decisions and you’re doing the right thing then they’ll fall behind you. The challenge is when they feel these aren’t the right decisions so everything we do is about transparency. We want to keep it that way and we won’t change that,” he said.

His third game in charge takes place today when Dunbeholden visit Harbour View at the Harbour View Stadium at 3 pm.