Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Former national coach Geoffrey Maxwell is no longer with Wray and Nephew National Premier League (NPL) team Seba United.

Maxwell, regarded by many as one of the best technical minds in the country's football, has left Seba United after just six months in charge. A replacement has not been named as yet but former national midfielder Theodore Whitmore has been conducting the training sessions since the start of the week, according to reports.

"Yes, it is true that I am no longer with Seba United but I cannot say too much on that right now," Maxwell told The Gleaner yesterday.

The Gleaner tried in vain to speak with Seba executives Orville Powell, the recently-elected president of the St. James Football Association and Bruce Gaynor.

While to many, an early exit for Maxwell was inevitable, at the outset it seemed the much-traveled coach who made Waterhouse the national power they are now and who had stints with Arnett Gardens, Tivoli Gardens, Village United and Rivoli, would find some stability. Great excitement and expectations surrounded his arrival and senior players such as Loxley Reid hailed him and his appointment openly.

New charges

Maxwell started off impressively by leading his new charges to the Western Super Cup contested by Reno of Westmoreland, Village of Trelawny and Montego Bay neighbours and rivals Wadadah. That was followed up by a 2-0 win over former champions and season to season favourites Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park.

Those performances prompted many to believe that the 'messiah' had come and the 'west' would regain its prominence soon.

Things soon went of the rail as they began finding goals and wins difficult to come as they dropped point after point and found themselves in the relegation zone at the end of the first round.

Faith was kept with him as it was evident that to get the job done he needed improved tools as the defense leaked and the forward line failed to fire. It was rumoured that a physical trainer was added to the coaching staff and that during the two-week break, he put the players through a strenuous programme.

Known for not tolerating 'interference', especially in technical matters, Maxwell openly blamed too much physical training on the lackluster display of his team in their 0-3 loss to Portmore United at Jarrett Park, saying that the players began complaining that after 30 minutes their legs were gone. Following that, his resignation seemed imminent.