KINGSTON, Jamaica — Former Assistant National Senior Reggae Boyz Coach Donovan Duckie has assumed head coaching duties with the newly acquired Phoenix Chapelton Maroons, and he is ecstatic.

Duckie, who was head coach of Jamaica’s National Under-20 team, took the players through their paces Tuesday morning under the watchful eyes of Phoenix boss Craig Butler.

“Donovan Duckie has long been a brother in the Phoenix movement. A visionary coach, motivational, tactical and technically advanced,” said Butler.

“We are pleased to have Duckie appointed to help guide our team to the best we can be. Humbled and knowing now what it is to lose and focused on learning from the experience, we are pleased to have a coach that is aligned with our vision, not just today but for years now,” Butler pointed out.

Duckie, who will also coach recent Manning Cup champions Mona High, said words can’t express the feeling of being part of such a big organisation.

“[It’s] just a wonderful feeling and I’m very ecstatic,” Duckie said.

“First of all, let me acknowledge Craig Butler and his family for the great effort they have put in acquiring Chapelton Maroons. Praises to the President Kaycie Butler, who is also integral in this operation.

“People might say bad things, good things about Craig Butler, spending a day with him, you will find out things that nobody knows, how loving this man is towards his players, his staff and the entire project that he has been doing for years,” he told the Observer Online.

“It’s a wonderful feeling for me to be a part of Phoenix Academy that has produced, most notably, Leon Bailey; Dujuan Richards, who has matriculated from school to Chelsea, and many other players that have played professionally from his work,” Duckie added.

“But in the end, now it’s about building a team, and I definitely think I am the man for the job because we have a good working relationship. We have been good friends for years and [have] mutual understanding and mutual respect, plus our knowledge, together we will form a good partnership in respect to the Phoenix projects, at Mona and Phoenix Chapelton Maroons,” Duckie reiterated.

“It is important for us to pull together, along with the other staff. A lot of respect to Ricky (Ricardo Martin), who has been here for years. I just want to say thanks to the members who have welcomed me here.”

“It’s a privilege to be working with Mona in the Manning Cup. It’s a pleasure to work [for] Butler, who is the owner, CEO (chief executive officer), founder and also head coach. I have seen his work, and it’s undeniable that he is one with great knowledge of the game and a genius for the work that he has done,” said Duckie.

Considered one of the best coaches on the island, Duckie, who was spotted by Velibor “Bora” Milutinović, Reggae Boyz coach in 2006, to be his assistant, said he turned down five coaching jobs to be a part of Phoenix Academy.

“Those decisions were hard to make, but I am just tired of being just the head coach of programmes with very little resources. This organisation is almost fully professional because there are more things to be done,” the coach maintained.

Added Duckie, “I know there will be challenges, but I am in it for the long haul, and it’s a decision that I have made and have given it careful thought and consideration.”

“Football has evolved; this one-man band is no more. It’s all about teamwork. If you look around the world, teams are employing eight to nine coaches. Defensive coach, tactical coach and offensive coach, coaches to deal with psychosocial,” he said.

“We have to evolve, and this is a project that I want to give my best, expertise and knowledge and I am just elated and excited to get going,” said Duckie.