1 month ago
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DUNBEHOLDEN’s search for a head coach has ended following the appointment of Bijon Thomas.
General manager of the club, Roger Simmonds, told The Gleaner that Thomas was the best selection among the coaches interviewed.
“Having interviewed a number of coaches and listening to his tactical awareness, game plan, and overall knowledge of the current squad, he was the right selection,” Simmonds said.
“He was at a number of our games, so he knows the players fairly well. His tactical analysis is really impressive, so we thought that with the squad we have, he was the best leader at this point,” he added.
Simmonds believes that the appointment comes at a fairly good time in the embryonic stage of the 2024-25 Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season. He, therefore, expects Thomas, along with his assistant, Christopher Harvey, to meet the club’s minimum pre-season target, which was set at achieving a playoff spot.
“It will be a long season, one of the longest in the JPL’s history, so time is there for us to put together a proper plan to accomplish our target as the minimum is the playoffs. Therefore, without a doubt, we know that coach Thomas and his team will salvage a solid Premier League season for us,” he added.
Thomas guided Chapelton Maroons to the Jamaica Football Championship title, which ensured them a spot in the current JPL season along with Racing United. Following his exit, Simmonds explained that the experienced coach was awaiting another chance to show his coaching mettle.
“He was ready to take over as he wasn’t coaching at the Premier League level at this time. He had other offers, but based on the club’s ambitions, he wanted to be associated with us. Therefore, when we approached him, he was more than willing to take over,” Simmonds said.
The 2022 beaten finalists, who have lost both games this season were inactive during last weekend’s scheduled fixtures. In the interim, Simmonds said that squad matches will be used to fine-tune preparations.
“We have already put in place a practice match so that we can observe the players closer. He’s ready and raring to go, so we are optimistic,” said Simmonds.
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