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FANS of Montego Bay United (MBU) on Monday expressed sharp criticism of the team's decision to once again appoint a new head coach to begin the Jamaica Premier League's (JPL) 2025-26 season.

Xavier Gilbert, former head coach of Arnett Gardens FC, will replace Paul 'Tegat' Davis, who rejoined the team in February.

June Finley, a die-hard MBU supporter, said Davis needed more time with the team.

"Them must find a coach from MoBay, if not Tegat," Finley expressed. "Why are you taking a town man to come to MoBay to coach the team? We don't want him.

"Tegat mi want because him win already and know what he is doing. Anybody who tek him away, please put him back," she added.

The news of Gilbert's appointment was announced in a press release by the club on Sunday evening.

Everton 'Lunch' McKenzie, the team's longtime mascot, told STAR Sports he is not confident with the recent move.

"Tegat has a trophy underneath his belt. How are you going to take a man from Kingston that has never won yet to come coach a side in MoBay?" Lunch asked.

Davis has deep roots with the club, which was renamed after its glory days as Seba United, when he led the team to its first Premier League title as the leading goalscorer.

He also coached the team to the title.

"Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore coaches Cornwall College and Mount Pleasant, so Tegat can do the same," noted Lunch of Davis' other coaching duties of a schoolboy football team,

LONG-TERM PROJECT

On Sunday, MBU chairman Yoni Epstein pointed out that Davis had been contracted to coach the team until the end of the season.

The chairman stated that management and the board wanted someone full time who would want a long-term project and wouldn't be encumbered by schoolboy football leading them into the start of next season.

But Lunch believes Davis should have gotten more time with the team.

"Tegat didn't even get a chance to run out the preseason," he said.

Davis eventually led MBU to the semi-finals of the JPL after they parted ways with Argentine coach Rodolfo Zapata in the latter part of this season.

Since new management took over the team in October 2023, four head coach changes have been made in three seasons.

On Monday, efforts to reach Davis for a comment were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered.

Meanwhile, MBU President, Dr Germaine Spencer, said the team has to make the best possible decisions in the interest of the club's long-term success and integrity.

"As custodians of this football club, our responsibility is to assess all available information," he said.

"We understand that not everyone will agree with every decision, and that's the nature of passionate fan bases, which we're grateful for," added Spencer, who believes that regardless of the team's actions or inaction, opinions will always exist.

"We value our supporters, and their voices matter, but our duty is to the overall vision and future of Montego Bay United," Spencer stated.

REINS OF ARNETT

In August 2022, Gilbert took the reins of Arnett Gardens FC in Jamaica's Premier League, guiding them to a top-five league finish and a playoff appearance in his debut season. Competing in 44 matches across league and regional competitions in the 2024-25 campaign, Gilbert delivered strong results, including seven wins and three draws in his first 13 league fixtures.

Internationally, Xavier has served as assistant coach of Jamaica's Senior Women's National Team (Reggae Girlz). Under his leadership, the team received high praise for their organisation, unity, and competitive performances during consecutive Concacaf Gold Cup qualifiers.

He also served as head coach of the Under-20 Reggae Girlz.

Gilbert will officially start his MBU duties on July 1.

The first match under his leadership is set for August 24, the season opener for the 2025-26 Jamaica Premier League campaign.

Gilbert has already set goals for the club, saying in the press release: "My aim is to build a playing philosophy rooted in togetherness, righteousness, and family -- so we challenge for silverware and uplift our community through one team, one city, one united slogan."

ashley.anguin@gleanerjm.com