MBU faces criticism over non-renewal of Tegat contract

PRESIDENT OF Montego Bay United (MBU) Dr Germain Spencer is defending the recent appointment of new head coach Xavier Gilbert to begin the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) 2025-26 season, despite criticism from the fans of the club.

Gilbert, former head coach of Arnett Gardens FC, will replace Paul ‘Tegat’ Davis, who rejoined the team in February.

“We understand that not everyone will agree with every decision, and that’s the nature of passionate fan bases, which we’re grateful for,” said Spencer, who believes that regardless of the team’s actions or inaction, opinions will always exist.

“As custodians of this football club, our responsibility is to assess all available information and make the best possible decisions in the interest of the club’s long-term success and integrity. We value our supporters, and their voices matter, but our duty is to the overall vision and future of Montego Bay United,” added Spencer

The news of Gilbert’s appointment was announced in a press release by the club on Sunday evening.

Everton ‘Lunch’ McKenzie, the team’s long-time mascot, told The Gleaner he is not confident about the recent move.

“Tegat has a trophy underneath his belt. How are you going to take a man from Kingston to come coach a side in MoBay that has never won yet?” Lunch questioned.

Davis has deep roots with the club, which was renamed after its glory days as Seba United, when he led the team to its first Premier League title as the leading goalscorer.

“Mi nuh believe in no town man fi come coach MoBay side. Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore coaches Cornwall College and Mount Pleasant, so Tegat can do the same. He didn’t even get a chance to run out the preseason,” added Lunch, who believes Davis needed more time with the team.

Davis brought MBU to the semi-finals of the JPL after they parted ways with Argentine coach Rodolfo Zapata.

Meanwhile, Heather Ricketts, a die-hard MBU supporter, said though she understands it is a business move, she is disappointed.

“Tegat is a man who understands the game and the youths. If not him, they must find another local coach here in Montego Bay. MoBay people love to go under the leadership of town (Kingston) people too much,” Ricketts expressed.

“They cannot determine whether or not he can manage schoolboy football and JPL. Once he knows what he is doing, they should work with him,” she added.

Since new management took over the team in October 2023, four head coach changes have been made in three seasons.

On Monday, efforts made to contact Davis for a comment were unsuccessful, as the calls went unanswered.

On Sunday, Chairman Yoni Epstein said that Davis’ contract was only until the end of the season.

The chairman stated that “management and Board wanted someone full-time who would want a long-term project and wouldn’t be encumbered by schoolboy football leading them into the start of next season.”

Gilbert will officially start on July 1, with the first match under his leadership set for August 24.

Gilbert has already set goals for the club, saying in the press release: “My aim is to build a playing philosophy rooted in togetherness, righteousness, and family — so we challenge for silverware and uplift our community through one team, one city, one united slogan.”