SVGFF Technical Director/Head Coach to be known by weekend

The process of the selection of the new Technical Director/Head Coach is still ongoing, but the process should be completed by this weekend, by which time the current executive members of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation (SVGFF) would have the final say.

This is according to the Public Relations Officer of the SVGFF, Larry Bascombe, but President of the football body Joseph Delves had indicated to SEARCHLIGHT early in December that the process would have been completed by the end of the year.{{more}}

In the post just over one month, Bascombe said that from the original list of sixteen applicants, the Technical and Development Committee shortlisted six candidates.

According to him, four persons have already been interviewed. Among them are current stand in Coach Roger Gurley and former coach Earl Paynter, along with former technical director Sammy Carrington. Former national player Des Morris was also interviewed and is the only local candidate who has never had a stint with the national programme.

Carrington was at the head of the programme in 2000, but left the job after he and the Louis Daisley executive failed to agree on the longevity of his contract. Carrington returned in 2006 to unsuccessfully guide the under-20 team to the Caribbean Football Union’s qualifiers in October in Trinidad and Tobago.

Carrington in 2006, presented to the former Executive under St. Claire Leacock his “Blue print for Success”, a document detailing a development programme to 2018. Reports are that Morris, like Carrington, a US licensed coach, forwarded his curriculum vitae to enhance his candidacy.

The other two in line for the job are Englishman Stewart John Hull and Argentina Diego Andres Cruciani.

The method by which the two foreign candidates would be interviewed was unclear, as they are not expected to appear here in person.

The post of technical director became vacant last October when Zoran Vranes, who occupied the relatively highly paid job, left on expiration of his contract. Vranes held that post for three years, making him the longest serving technical director. Vranes was thought in some quarters to be overpaid, given his output in terms of football development.

He was ensured US$6,000 per month, accommodation, a vehicle, among other benefits.

Bascombe, though, stopped short of revealing what the current Executive was willing to pay the new man. He said that would be disclosed when that person “signs the dotted lines”.

It is expected that the new Technical Director/Head Coach should be in place to take the senior team on a tour to Guyana for a one off friendly international match Sunday, January 31. Bascombe also revealed that there was a strong possibility that the team would do a double take and engage Barbados on their return trip. He, however, said that these plans were not finalised.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines team preparing for World Cup qualifiers in June against Canada is set to come up against a team of former national players tonight at the Victoria Park. (RT)