Money no objective - Simoes

by Howard Walker, Staff Reporter

As the cash-strapped Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) continues its hunt for a national coach, former technical director Rene Simoes said money is not an issue for him if he should return to coach Jamaica.

"Money was never an issue between me and Jamaica. I always accepted what they could pay and above all, a sum that would not affect the country," Simoes told The Star.

"What matters most are the working conditions, and in this respect, I am certain that under the government of Portia Simpson there will be no problems," added Simoes.

Simoes, who spent six years as Jamaica's technical director, said Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is "not only an intelligent woman, but also a sports lover who saw first-hand the benefits in terms of money and publicity the World Cup brought to Jamaica."

"The support of the private sector and an (football) administration with a high level of professionalism must be sought," noted Simoes.

BETTER COACH

Simoes, who is currently the coach of Iran's Under-23 side and led Brazil women's team to silver at the 2004 Olympics, said he has grown in stature as a coach.

"I am a better coach now because I learn with each new experience in my personal and professional life. I make the comment based especially on my work with the Brazilian Women's Olympic team," Simoes noted.

"Men see the whole picture, while women see the details. They need more information, they need to be understood, they question more and verbalise their thoughts more. With them, I learned to observe things more carefully and think of the details, and it helped me to better develop the preparation of a team."

Simoes, who came to Jamaica in 1994 and led Jamaica to the 1998 World Cup before resigning in 2000, said continuity is important to carry the programme forward.

Said Simoes: "The secret will be to give continuity to the achievements made since then (1998 World Cup). Hard work, dreams, defeat, reorganisation, success, obstacles will all be a part of this process.

Bigger potential

"Knowledge has a very short expiration date in this period of globalisation. Things change at the speed of light, and we must keep up with all the new things we are exposed to.

We must focus on the details and understand that only the constant search for perfection will lead to success."

He added: "We must keep the principles but change the strategy. The world has changed, people have changed, and Jamaica has changed. We are not the same, but we have an even bigger potential."