Duckie returns to MBU to wrap up unfinished business
Former Jamaica Under-20 and Under-23 Head Coach Donovan Duckie will be the new man in charge of Montego Bay United, club President Orville Powell confirmed to the Jamaica Observer.
This will be the second stint for Duckie at Montego Bay United, having coached there during the 2013-2014 season.
Powell did not divulge much other than say, “yes” when asked to confirm Duckie’s appointment at the club.
Meanwhile, the much-travelled Duckie said he was delighted to be back at Montego Bay United, a club that he set the stage for, but left just before they won the 2013-14 Premier League title.
“I am very excited and I am really looking forward to returning to unfinished business,” Duckie told the Observer.
“Deep within me, I started something that I have not finished. When I was there the players were wonderful, the administration was good, and what resonates the most, is the people of the city,” he added.
Duckie continued: “They were very supportive of me, supportive of the project and they are passionate about football and this is something that I am looking forward to”.
The 46-year-old Duckie rose to prominence in 2007 when Jamaica’s Serbian Head Coach Bora Milutinovic choose him as his assistant. He was 29 years old at the time. He was later made National Under-20 head coach and led the Reggae Boyz into battle in Under-23 Olympic qualifiers in 2019.
Duckie, a former army man, won five Super League titles with Star Cosmos in St Mary and St George’s FC in Portland and led the latter to Premier League promotion in 2007.
The astute coach led the unfashionable Vere United to the play-offs in his first season in 2021, but finished ninth this season with 20 points.
Montego Bay United finished at the bottom of the 12-team league with 12 points and Duckie will have to bring all of his experience to turn the western Jamaica team into a force to be reckoned with once again.
Duckie previously coached at Sporting Central Academy, Humble Lion, Waterhouse twice, and Mount Pleasant, which he brought to the Premier League a few seasons ago.
— Howard Walker
