JFF to begin interview process for Reggae Girlz coaching job
Damoy Rowe
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is far advanced in its search for a head coach for the national senior women’s football team after the position became vacant following the decision not to renew the contract of Lorne Donaldson as the head coach of the Reggae Girlz.
Donaldson’s last game for the national team saw the Reggae Girlz losing 2-1 to Canada on Tuesday, September 26. It was announced then, by the Jamaica Football Federation that his contract would not be renewed after ending on September 30, 2023.
Donaldson was appointed Reggae Girlz head coach in June 2022 and led the national women’s team to their second consecutive FIFA Women’s World Cup this year. Jamaica would then go on a historic campaign in their second stint in the tournament, where they made it to the round of 16 after drawing with European heavyweights France and Brazil and defeating Concacaf rivals Panama in the group stage.
The Reggae Girlz eventually bowed out following a 1-0 loss to Colombia.
The Reggae Girlz have since suffered back-to-back losses to Canada in a failed effort to qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Despite their recent defeats, the progress of the team under Donaldson’s leadership was evident, and his non-renewal has come as a surprise to many within the sporting fraternity. According to the JFF, following a meeting with the coach, it was announced that the federation would be looking for a new head coach.
The Reggae Girlz are expected to compete in a series of CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup qualifying matches in less than a month, and the JFF has announced in a release posted on the federation’s Instagram page on Monday, October 2, that “The Jamaica Football Federation is pleased to announce that various potential candidates have been identified to fill the head coaching vacancy with the Senior Women’s National Team.
The release went on to say, “The interviewing process will begin this week, as we have received a number of applications from experienced and qualified individuals.” It also said, “Soon, a short list will be selected for final interviews. Importantly, this also includes the re-engagement of members of the coaching and technical staff.”
The Reggae Girlz are set to face Guatemala and Panama in a home and away fixture in the CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cup qualifiers later this month.