IS THIS THE END OF THE LINE FOR LUCIANO GAMA?

If Jamaica Football Federation President Captain Horace Burrell sticks with his current trend then Luciano Gama, coach of Jamaica’s Under-20 squad, might be heading back to Brazil shortly after they arrived home Thursday night. Following the debacle of the Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Cup where Jamaica, the two-time defending champions, failed to win a game and were bounced from the competition Captain Burrell fired Technical Director Walter Gama and goalkeeping coach Armando Bracali.

According to a newspaper report on the firing; “Following a review conducted by the JFF Technical and Development Committee into the Reggae Boyz’s wretched performance at the recent CFU Caribbean Championship, it was found that Gama “lacked proactive leadership”, while Bracali was deemed to have “not shown enough teeth” in the execution of his duties. “We have decided to terminate the employment of both gentlemen following recommendations of the Technical Committee arising out of a review of the below-par performance of the team at the Caribbean Cup,” Burrell said.”

After another wretched performance at the Under-20 qualifiers, will we be getting a similar reaction?

The national Under-20 squad left Jamaica with high hopes of qualifying for the World Cup in Turkey later this year. Things started brightly enough with an impressive 4-1 over Puerto Rico but from there everything went downhill – fast. The young Reggae Boyz were on the wrong end of a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Panama and then were humiliated by the home team by a similar scoreline. After the drubbing by Panama, an international coach asked me who was the coach of the Jamaican team. When I told him he remarked “This guy is out of his element.” I asked him why he made that call to which he responded. “He looked like he had no idea on what tactical adjustments to make. That game should never have ended 4-0. Jamaica played poorly,” he said.”The team has no real concept on how to play at a high level. For example, the supporting angles, distances made it impossible to pass. The team could not make a pass. It was shocking!”

These comments came from a highly qualified coach whose judgement I respect highly but I still went out and got a second opinion. Not surprisingly, there was consensus among both that Jamaica’ U-20 team, a team that included members of last year’s U-17 World Cup team, was tested and found tactically wanting.

Now, I don’t know if the tactical deficiencies were solely because of the coaching but when a team makes adjustments and they make no impact on what the opposing team is doing then something is very wrong. I suppose a review of the team’s performance will be done by the JFF Technical Committee and their findings put into a report that Captain Burrell will use to make a decision on the fate of Gama and perhaps Alfredo Montesso. As of right now there seems to be only one option left for the JFF President to do, and that is start from scratch and that means a new approach and a new coach.

That could well mean the end of the line for at least one of the two remaining Brazilians.

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5 Responses to “IS THIS THE END OF THE LINE FOR LUCIANO GAMA?”

CIsaacs says:

March 3, 2013 at 9:51 am

It’s time that you and the rest of the media start to critique these Brazilians for what they are not doing.They are taking the money and showing no results.All the results so far have been negative,and when that trend continues,there needs to be changes.These Brazilians should be fired ans sent packing.Jamaica should not have lost to Panama.They showed no technical ability whatsoever.And against Mexico,they came out as a team already defeated.How can you coach a team and have them playing defense from the get go.?Nobody else is scared of the Mexicans.But when Jamaica plays them,it’s as if David is meeting Goliath.This approach has to change,and the Brazilians are of no help.They preach drop back,defensive football-where Jamaica is concerned.Look at how even the El Salvadorans play the Mexicans!Nobody else is scared of them.The Boyz were playing looking to lose,expecting to lose,and in their mind they were going to lose.That approach needs to be wiped away and renewed with an approach that says we can win.Get rid of the Brazilians now.No one is even awed by their legacy anymore.England beat them,and that’s enough said.Make the change now or we will continue to suffer at their hands.
Minto says:

March 4, 2013 at 2:28 pm

To be fair…David wasn’t even afraid of Goliath.I was really disappointed with the performance. I know Puerto Rico is a ‘weak’ team, but we showed good tactical and technical awareness. All that was thrown through the window in the Panama game, not to mention in the Mexico game. We have good individual players, but they don’t seem to know how to raise their game when faced with tough circumstances. The team looked very disjointed and unaware of individual roles. No transition from defense to offense lacked shape when they lost the ball, slow and unconvincing on the counter. I wouldn’t put it all on the coach though, but he and his staff should bear the brunt of the ‘blame’.
Intel sign !!?? says:

March 5, 2013 at 9:28 am

Yep other coaches should be given a try. One thing so many ignore however is the state of poor youth development in the country. It does matter who is the coaches but sometimes we are asking them to perform miracle. If we can improve infrastructure and get a money making professional league going we will have what to work with
cisaacs says:

March 6, 2013 at 10:24 pm

Minto
Well said.Look at the US Mexico game.The US dont even have the individual talent that Jamaica has,and they came out with a plan to win.Even when they were down early,they kept pushing the Mexicans.The US should have won the game.The ref didn’t call those clear penalties and they were robbed.But,you have to come to play.Play to win.My goodness,the Boyz seem to be much bigger in stature as opposed to their counterparts from other teams,yet they couldn’t pose an effective approach,style nor discipline to beat the teams they lost to.The coaches must be held accountable.Nuff said.
JD says:

March 8, 2013 at 1:37 am

Sadly, Jamaica has not found its own style of play! Brazilians start out playing futsal ( a form of indoor soccer) and at the elite level the players all play the same…when a Brazilian team is formed everyone has the system down. Jamaica needs an identity all its own. we can take what is/was useful from our Brazilian craze and other international counterparts…add Jamaican drive and inventiveness, apply Jamaican track speed (100-400 speed only) add a hefty dose of MENTAL ABILITY (quick/clear thinking) and many, many,did I say many, hours of shooting for accuracy and power (not sacrificing accuracy for power) start teaching the players to play the chinese game of GO so they understand space. Finish the whole process off with good discipline and humble pies (our players tend to reach the stars way before taking off from earth) leave the star ting to Ronaldo and Messi et al! we Jamaicans are not at that level of physical commitment or sacrifice as yet …..but God willing….we shall overcome someday (in the near future) is my hope ….God Bless Jamaica!