The long-standing contract dispute between the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) and head coach, Theodore Whitmore, was officially resolved on Monday, with the coach putting pen-to-paper on a four-year deal, to run from June 1 through December 31, 2022.
Whitmore, who has been at the helm of the national programme for the past two years following the forced removal of German Winfried Schafer, had resigned from his position on April 6, 2018, after a lengthy and well-documented disagreement surrounding his remuneration package.
The former national midfielder had reportedly demanded $1.5 million a month, with the JFF president Michael Ricketts noting that the organization could not meet his demands.
In January, Whitmore gave the JFF a one-month ultimatum to present an improvement on the reported $500,000 that was offered, and when this was not forthcoming, tendered his resignation to the JFF board.
Both parties went back to the table after the intervention of Minister of Sport, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and though no financial details were outlined, it was confirmed that the coach has committed to guiding the national senior team for the next four years.
“The Jamaica Football Federation wishes to advise that National Senior team Head Coach, Theodore ‘Tappa’ Whitmore today signed a four-year contract with the Federation. The effective date is June 1, 2018 to December 31, 2022,” read a release from the JFF. “This followed a meeting led by President of the JFF, Mr. Michael Ricketts.”
“Both parties are satisfied with the terms and conditions of the contract and now look forward to planning and executing on preparation for the Senior team’s engagement in upcoming games and tournaments.”
Whitmore took over from ousted German coach Winfried Schäfer in October 2016. He had been called to the table by the late Captain Horace Burrell.
He has since guided the Reggae Boyz to the Caribbean Football Union and CONCACAF Gold Cup finals last year, where the team lost both games to Curacao and the United States respectively.
Under his guidance, the team has also elevated to a high of 48th on the FIFA World rankings, their highest position since 1998.
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