With his trademark calm demeanor and proven track record of success, Xavier Gilbert is now settling into a new chapter of his coaching journey, one that sees him take the reins at Montego Bay United, a storied club hungry for a return to Jamaica Premier League glory.
Gilbert, who guided Arnett Gardens FC to back-to-back third-place finishes and a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Shield title last season, replaces club legend Paul "Tegat" Davis at the helm. He inherits a Montego Bay side that showed signs of resurgence last season, as they made the top four just one year after narrowly missing the playoffs.
For Gilbert, the move west is not just a new job but, more so, a partnership rooted in shared ambition.
"The project that they have is what attracted me. I like the direction in which the club wants to go, and I believe that I have the requisite skills and mindset to help Montego Bay United achieve that objective and create a long-term legacy,” Gilbert told SportsMax.Tv.
Montego Bay United last lifted the JPL title in the 2015-16 season, and with the league becoming increasingly competitive, Gilbert knows the road back to the top will demand focus, innovation, and trust. But he is by no means daunted.
"For me, adapting to a new environment is never really a problem. My philosophy is very player-centric. I’m a people person; I believe in communication, empathy, and discipline. That’s the foundation,” Gilbert said.
"Once you create a space where people feel valued and heard, success will follow. So I don’t think it will take any time to adapt with the players and staff,” Gilbert, who will be joined by Garnett Lawrence, his assistant from Arnett Gardens, added.
With preseason training set to begin on July 1 and the new season expected to kick off in August, Gilbert has already mapped out his blueprint, and his goals for Montego Bay United stretch beyond local dominance.
"Short term, we want to be consistent contenders at the top of the table. Long term, the vision is to become regular participants in the Concacaf Club Championship. But equally important is developing talent and creating pathways for our players to move on to bigger things. We must be a club that not only wins but produces,” he declared.
That said, Gilbert also pointed to the importance of community, something Montego Bay United has long been synonymous with.
"Building relationships with the fans, players, and staff will be key, so I plan to be myself—open, humble, and engaged. Egos have no place in team building. I’m not here to dictate; I’m here to lead with respect, and I want the people of Montego Bay to know that their support will be the heartbeat of this journey,” Gilbert noted.
However, with every transition comes challenges, and, as such, Gilbert is under no illusion about the expectations that come with leading one of Jamaica’s most recognizable football brands.
"The biggest challenge? Probably the pressure to deliver results quickly, to do well in the Jamaica Premier League, and to qualify for the Concacaf tournament…that is the objective,” Gilbert shared.
"Pressure is part of the job, but the key is preparation. We just have to put the necessary things in place to ensure we get the desired results. The league continues to grow and become more competitive, so we’ll need to be smart with our resources, build depth, and, most importantly, turn our home ground into a fortress,” he explained.
Finally, the tactician, who has already proven his mettle in Kingston’s football crucible, pointed out that the next chapter with Montego Bay United feels like a perfect match, as both are ambitious, hungry, and ready to evolve.
"It is about building something special here. It’s a new chapter, yes, but I am mindful of what is required and willing to make the necessary adjustments to get the job done,” Gilbert, who also serves as an assistant coach of Jamaica's Reggae Girlz, ended.