KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore has signed a four-year deal with the Jamaica Football Federation, finally ending a fractious saga, which required the invention of government.
JFF president Michael Ricketts confirmed the development, revealing the former national midfielder had been given the draft contract last week and had signed, following discussions and a few “minor changes”.
“I would personally like to express my delight and in the behalf of the JFF that we have finally signed the agreement and we now have a contractual document with coach Whitmore,” Ricketts told TVJ Sports.
“He asked and we must respect his wishes, that we do not discuss his remuneration publicly and I want to adhere to that request but he is comfortable all things considered and like I said, we are now looking forward to working comfortably with coach Whitmore and our aim and mission now is to head for the World Cup in 2022.”
Whitmore’s first major assignment will be overseeing Jamaica’s preparation for CONCACAF’s inaugural League of Nations which kicks off in September.
The national side will face Cayman Islands on the opening match-day before taking on Bonaire and Suriname, and finally El Salvador.
Whitmore and the JFF were locked in negotiations over a new contract for the last eight months, with the former English professional unimpressed with the offer from the local football governing body.
Early last month, he resigned in frustration but rescinded the letter a couple of weeks later, following an intervention from Sports Minister Olivia Grange.
Both parties then returned to the bargaining table over the new contract.
