The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has parted ways with long-serving Lady Jaguars head coach Dr Ivan Joseph, following a four-year stint at the helm of the programme.
This was confirmed by an official release from the federation. Joseph, who serves as Vice-President of student affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, was appointed in 2018 on a voluntary basis. According to the correspondence, Joseph secured an impressive 66% win rate with the senior and u20 teams respectively on the international circuit.
Joseph, who has over two decades of experience in women’s football, said, “I am disappointed that the GFF has elected to move in a different direction with the leadership of the women’s football programme. However, I am extremely proud of the efforts and performance our Lady Jags have accomplished during our tenure. Coaching the U-20 ladies to the final eight in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers and our recent near miss in getting to the final eight of the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup qualifiers are results our staff and team are proud of accomplishing.”
He added, “A special thank you to the domestic-based players and local coaches who have elevated the women’s game to a significant level in Guyana over a very short time. The best is yet to come.”
Meanwhile, GFF President Wayne Forde, said, “We are deeply grateful for the unwavering commitment, professionalism and humility that Dr Joseph brought to this role. We are delighted with the progress the Lady Jags made during his memorable tenure. His achievements have created the foundations for Guyana to become a true powerhouse of women’s football in the Caribbean region in the coming years.”
“The conclusion of the Lady Jags’ 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification campaign brought an end to a remarkable cycle in the women’s programme. We must now build on this as we plan for a new cycle and a brighter future,” Forde added.
The Lady Jaguars missed out on qualifying for the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, after finishing second in Group F on eight points. The Guyanese were seconds away from securing the top spot in the pool, before conceding an equaliser to Trinidad and Tobago, which sealed the latter’s place in the regional tournament.
