Struggling Jamaica Premier League club Chapelton Maroons FC has appointed Vassell Reynolds as its new Technical Director following the sudden resignation of head coach Jermaine Douglas. The club currently sits 12th in the 14-team league, with only five wins and 15 losses this season, and is seeking stability as it fights to improve results.
Reynolds, who has previously coached another Clarendon-based club, Humble Lion FC, in addition to leading Kingston College and working with Jamaica’s national youth programs, has already begun assembling a new coaching team. He has appointed Dwight White, head coach of Old Harbour High, as the new head coach and is expected to name an assistant coach in the coming days.
Douglas took over coaching duties in December, replacing Oneil Thompson. After suffering a 2-1 loss to Vere United in a Clarendon derby, he guided Chapelton Maroons on an impressive three-game unbeaten run, picking up seven points with victories over Cavalier FC and Harbour View and a draw against Arnett Gardens. However, that momentum was short-lived, as they squandered a 1-0 lead and fell 2-1 to Montego Bay United at the Montego Bay Sports Complex. Since then, the club has struggled, slipping further down the table.
Jermaine Douglas
Douglas resigned on Thursday night after the team suffered a crushing 5-0 defeat to Arnett Gardens. His decision reportedly took everyone by surprise, including Reynolds, who was brought in just days prior, to provide technical support to the coaching staff. “Yes, it did. I even called him the next morning and told him I was surprised. It was unexpected for everyone, to be honest,” Reynolds admitted.
Reynolds further explained that before Douglas’ resignation, he had visited the club twice to observe and assess the situation after being approached to assist. “A few days before the game, I was asked to come in and offer support to Douglas and his staff as the technical director for the rest of the season. I observed the team twice leading up to the Arnett Gardens match and officially started my role on Saturday morning,” he explained.
However, Douglas has since clarified that his decision to step down had little to do with the heavy defeat against Arnett Gardens. “I don't think it is something that I would want to disclose at this time to the media especially, but I can assure you it has little or nothing to do with the result,” Douglas stated. “I wouldn't say differences with management, it's just that some things were done in a particular way that was in conflict with what I agreed to when I joined the club.”
Speaking about his new role, Reynolds confirmed his commitment to guiding the Maroons for the remainder of the season. "I was initially brought in to support Douglas and his staff as technical director, but after his resignation, I remained committed to assisting the club, even though Douglas and his assistant have both left," Reynolds explained.
Douglas' sudden departure, combined with the club’s poor form, makes Reynolds’ task even more challenging. With just two months remaining in the season, he will need to quickly implement strategies to help Chapelton Maroons climb the table and avoid further setbacks.