MONTEGO Bay United’s (MBU) new Head Coach Xavier Gilbert says he understands he will be required not only to restore club football glory to western Jamaica, but also to win over the fans for the upcoming Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season.

Gilbert led Arnett Gardens to back-to-back third-place finishes before he was enticed away from south St Andrew to western Jamaica in an effort to end the nearly 10-year title drought at MBU.

Club Chairman Yoni Epstein told the Jamaica Observer in late June that they had jumped at the recommendation of Technical Director Andre Peart, calling the hiring “a no-brainer”.

But Gilbert did not see it that way.

“It wasn’t easy, wasn’t an easy decision,” he says. “But, nevertheless, there were pros and cons and it’s a good project, and I like the idea of the project that Montego Bay is on, and hence I took up the opportunity. So, it’s for me to go, for the club to go and to bring back the glory to western Jamaica.”

Last season, under Rodolfo Zapata and then Paul Davis, MBU qualified for the semi-finals of the JPL, and will open this season on Sunday away against hosts Mount Peasant who have played in the last three finals. Mount Pleasant would have also played a competitive game against SV Robinhood of Suriname.

Gilbert, who is also accompanied by his long-time assistant Garnett Lawrence, says he is satisfied with where they are in their preparation for the season but admitted they are still in the market for players they hope will add squad depth.

“I am satisfied that we have a decent squad,” he told the Jamaica Observer on Saturday before beating Portmore United 1-0 in a practice game at the Montego Bay Sports Complex.

“We have some youngsters, probably not as experienced in the league per se but they have quality, and we also have some experienced players so it’s a good mix, and we hope that we can get everything right. I don’t think we’re hitting all the notes as yet but as the season progresses I think we’re going to do well.”

Despite the addition of some new players Gilbert says they are still looking at other footballers as there are players on their books now who would also be heading towards the exit.

Among the newcomers are former Arnett Gardens wing back Philando Wing; former Vere United midfielder Mathew Woo Ling; former Dunbeholden striker Dwight Merrick, who scored on Saturday; as well as Temar Lewis and Okemo Jones who both played for Harbour View.

MBU will be without Shaniel Thomas, who had an outstanding 2024-25 season, scoring in double figures after leaving Cavalier, but was injured in a play-off game against Tivoli Gardens and has undergone a series of medical procedures since.

Gilbert is under no illusion of what to expect from the home fans, a section of who sees him as an “outsider”, but says while he has so been welcomed he knows that results will be what counts.

“One way to win over the fans is always to get good results,” he says. “But we want to play good football as well, because I think that will attract spectators, but in the same way, they have to get good results so that’s our mindset.”

Gilbert says MBU must start the season well.

“The first five games are going to be critical for us,” he says. “We want to be right up there in the thick off things from the get-go, and hopefully we can maintain it.”

Mount Pleasant could be the toughest game so early in the season.

“It’s a tough first game,” he says. “No matter who you play, the first game is always going to be tough but, of course, you’re playing Mount Pleasant — one of the best. They have been to three finals in a row, and they continue to strengthen their squad. They are going to play a competitive game before us so that even makes it a little bit tougher, and they’re going to be at home. But we’re mindful of the challenge and we’re up for it. We just have to go out and execute.”

Newly appointed Montego Bay United Head Coach Xavier Gilbert is flanked by his assistants Dillon Thelwell (left) and Garnett Lawrence during a preseason friendly against Portmore United at Montego Bay Sports Complex in St James on August 16, 2025. Montego Bay won 1-0. (Photo: Paul Reid)