Theodore Whitmore and Cayman Islands Women’s National Coach Bobby McLaren. (Photo by Beverly Melbourne)

By Beverly Melbourne

Soon after leaving Cayman Islands the President of the Jamaican Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell announced the appointment of Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore as Technical Director for the
Reggae Boyz.

Former Reggae Boyz captain Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore was appointed Head Coach of Jamaica National Senior team (The Reggae Boyz) with immediate effect after the historic 3-2 win over Panama last Sunday evening at the National Stadium.

Whitmore replaces John Barnes, whose seven month contract was not renewed by the Jamaica Football Federation.

Captain Horace Burrell made the announcement after the 3-2 victory over Panama last Sunday evening the first in 40 yrs and wished Barnes all the best.

“Our contract with Coach Barnes expires at the end of June, which is in another couple of days from now. Naturally, Coach Barnes has to be looking around, and I am very pleased that Barnes has indeed landed a contract at Tranmere Rovers in England.”

“As a result of this, the JFF has immediately appointed Theodore Whitmore as head coach of the Reggae Boyz team, and this will go for one year,” said Burrell.

Barnes a former Liverpool and England National player took over coaching the Reggae Boys last November. He now moves on to English League One outfit Tranmere Rovers with his contract starting in July.

Barnes in a brief interview said that he was disappointed that his contract was not extended until after the Gold Cup and said “I am disappointed that I would not be going to the Gold Cup because I could have started the contract with Tranmere after the Gold Cup.”

“But I fully accept and understand the JFF decision that they will appoint Theodore, as of now, to give him a chance to experience football at the highest level.”

“I have to thank the JFF for giving me an opportunity in doing something I love. It is something I wanted to get involved with for a long time and they gave me that opportunity,”

Barnes has had an unbeaten run since taking over the team from interim coach Whitmore in November after Brazilian Technical Director Rene Simoes was fired. He guided the team to winning the Digicel Caribbean Cup in December.

He finished his first national coaching job with a winning record of five wins and four draws.

Theodore Whitmore started his coaching career as head Coach at the Seba Club and has done several recognized Coaching Courses overseas.

He was appointed Interim Coach of the Jamaica National team after the JFF sacked Serbian-born Velibor ‘Bora’ Milutinovic the then technical Director.

Whitmore, represented Jamaica in a host of international matches, including the FIFA World Cup Finals in France in 1998 during his 12-year playing career. He scored two goals against Japan in that World Cup game when Jamaica won the game 2-1.

The former midfielder, who made his international debut in 1993, played professionally in the United Kingdom for Scottish club Livingston (2003-2004) as well as English sides Hull City (1999-2002) and Tranmere Rovers (2004-2006).

“It makes me feel so proud to see that my... career has now gone one step further. I know the love that I have for this country and the confidence of this administration and Jamaicans success is a must. I have been working with the team for quite a while and I am positive that we can only get better at this stage,” Whitmore said briefly.