By LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Brazilian Sebastiao Lazaroni (left) and his assistant, Joao Carlos Costa, sit in the grandstand while looking at the Digicel Caribbean Cup match between Jamaica and Haiti at the National Stadium last night. Jamaica won 3-1.
- RICARDO MAKYN/Staff Photographer
FORMER NATIONAL senior team head coach, Sebastiao Lazaroni, is on the verge of returning to local football after being approached by the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) to run its national development programme.
President of the JFF, Crenston Boxhill, confirmed this yesterday. He pointed out that he was looking for someone with international experience for at least three years to form a solid base around the nation's football structure.
"We are looking for someone with international experience to pilot the whole development programme. Lazaroni has been here twice, understands the culture and has a wealth of knowledge and experience," Boxhill told The Gleaner yesterday in an interview at the National Stadium during the Digicel Caribbean Cup match that Jamaica won 3-1 over Haiti.
Lazaroni, whose contract as the Reggae Boyz ended with Jamaica's failure to advance in the World Cup qualifiers on November 17, said before he agrees to take up the post he wants to be confident he can match the JFF's expectations.
"I told them I am open to listen, I want everything to be clear in the contract," said Lazaroni who was also watching the game at the National Stadium. "I want everything explained so I can see what I can do for Jamaica."
Lazaroni added that he wishes to work with his assistants, Marcio Meira, Joao Carlos Costa and Nielsen Elias, who accompanied him here to coach the Boyz.
"I brought them here," he quipped.
The JFF and Lazaroni may come to a decision as early as tomorrow.
Though the JFF did not advertise the post, Boxhill said he has received several resumes from international coaches and had conversations with Argentinian Carlos Pachame as early as July.
Meanwhile, Boxhill said axed technical director Carl Brown is not being considered for the post.
"We are looking for someone with international experience so Carl would not be eligible. However, the nation has invested significantly in Carl and he will play a role in the development of football in Jamaica in the future."
