Following reports that Xavier Gilbert is set to take over as head coach of Montego Bay United FC, club owner Yoni Epstein has outlined why the former Arnett Gardens boss was the ideal candidate to replace interim coach Paul “Tegat” Davis.
Gilbert, who confirmed to Sportsmax.TV on Sunday that he had resigned from his position at Arnett Gardens after two successful seasons, has been announced as MoBay United’s new head coach. Under Gilbert, Arnett Gardens secured back-to-back third-place finishes in the Jamaica Premier League and won the Concacaf Caribbean Shield, earning a berth in the Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship.
Epstein said the decision to target Gilbert was based on both his résumé and his alignment with the club’s long-term vision.
“Xavier embodies what the club wants to achieve in its short, medium and long-term goals,” Epstein said. “We’ve had two different coaches since we took over, and we needed to get the club to a certain level to attract a top local coach.”
In a clear shift in philosophy, Epstein emphasized that Montego Bay United is committed to investing in Jamaican coaching talent going forward.
“I don’t want any more foreign coaches. I think we have the talent locally,” he declared. “Unfortunately, the majority of that talent is in Kingston, but now that we’ve gotten ourselves to a certain level, we’re in a position to attract someone like Xavier.”
Gilbert is expected to work alongside technical director Andrew Peart as part of a revamped leadership structure at the club. Epstein expressed confidence in the partnership.
“We look forward to what he brings, and to the partnership between himself and Andrew Peart and the rest of the technical staff as we continue to build Montego Bay United.”
Gilbert replaces Davis, the former Reggae Boyz striker who took over in January following the departure of Argentine Rodolfo Zapata. Davis took the club to the semi-finals of the Jamaica Premier League before bowing out to Mount Pleasant FA 2-1 on aggregate.
Montego Bay United, four-time champions of the Jamaica Premier League, are aiming to re-establish themselves as a competitive force under Gilbert’s leadership.