The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) will convene a crucial board meeting today to determine whether Rudolph Speid will be appointed as assistant to Head Coach Steve McClaren or serve in an advisory capacity with the Jamaica senior men’s team.

Speid, who is currently the sporting director of reigning Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier FC, also serves as chairman of the JFF technical committee. He has been identified by the federation as a key figure to contribute to the qualification of the senior Reggae Boyz for next year’s FIFA World Cup tournament. However, his official role is yet to be confirmed.

“The board will be meeting tomorrow (Saturday) and so after the meeting we will know what is what,” said Michael Ricketts, president of the JFF. “It is out there but it is total speculation, but we are going to discuss it and if there is a consensus between him [Speid] and the board then we will know exactly what position he will play.”

RICKETTS… we will discuss with Speid and the board will make a determination on what role he will play in the technical aspect of the programme (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

While speculation has been swirling, Ricketts noted that a definitive decision will only be made following board-level discussions. “We will discuss with Speid and the board will make a determination on what role he will play in the technical aspect of the programme,” he said. “Whether it is the assistant coach or the adviser to the coach or whatever, we have taken a decision to have him be part of the technical programme, but we can’t know what will happen until after the board meeting.”

The Jamaica Observer tried to contact Speid several occasions on Friday, but calls to his phone number went unanswered.

Paul Christie, sporting director of Mount Pleasant Academy, which lost on penalties to Cavalier in this season’s Premier League final, has thrown his support behind Speid, dismissing any notion of a conflict of interest.

“I don’t know or understand the term conflict of interest,” Christie said. “But what I do know is that Mr Speid has been a great servant to football in Jamaica over the past years. He has had success at the club level and the Caribbean level. I truly believe that he [Speid] will be an asset in improving the product going forward.”

Christie also highlighted Speid’s extensive contributions to coaching development across the region, stating: “He has a wealth of knowledge because he is the one who has been driving the coaching education in both Jamaica and the region. He is a selfless giver to the product and if he can assist in any way, shape or form at the national level, then I will be a component of that.”

The JFF is expected to announce its decision following Saturday’s board meeting.

CHRISTIE… I truly believe that he [Speid] will be an asset in improving the product going forward

Rudolph Speid, chairman of JFF technical committee (Photo: Naphtali Junior)