MOLYNES MESS

Jermaine Thomas, pictured here, was dismissed as Molynes United head coach on Tuesday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) UNCERTAINTY surrounds the coaching situation at Molynes United amid growing tensions between the Legend Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club and Head Coach Jermaine Thomas. The Jamaica Observer first reported on Tuesday morning that Molynes had dismissed Thomas after their 2-1 defeat to Mount Pleasant Football Academy on Monday night. It was their sixth defeat in eight games, leaving them 12th in the JPL standings. However, the Observer then learnt that the club’s management had asked Thomas to resign, rather than officially terminating his position as of late Tuesday afternoon. It’s understood that Thomas, who took over in December 2023, hadn’t resigned and was awaiting official confirmation of his sacking from the club. Kimani Reece (left) of Harbour View FC and Nicholas Nelson of Molynes United vie for the ball during their Jamaica Premier League football match at Constant Spring Sports Complex on Sunday, May 3. (Photo: Garfield Robinson) The Observer made several attempts to contact Thomas and Molynes Chairman Peter Higgins but neither could be reached up to press time. However, it’s understood that the situation could develop into a legal dispute with Thomas still having several months remaining on his contract. The Observer understands that Thomas is still owed outstanding salary payments. Under Thomas, Molynes finished 12th last season and the 2024-25 season while finishing 11th in the 2023-24 season. Thomas is the first coaching casualty of the JPL season. Excluding Rudolph Speid of Cavalier, Theodore Whitmore of Mount Pleasant Football Academy and Rodolph Austin of Portmore United, Thomas was the league’s longest-serving coach, having overseen 103 matches. Jermaine Thomas, pictured here, was dismissed as Molynes United head coach on Tuesday. (Photo: Naphtali Junior) Since Molynes’ promotion to the JPL in 2018, they’ve had six different coaches. Thomas’s replacement has already been lined up as the Observer understands veteran local coach Anthony Patrick is in advanced negotiations with Molynes. It would be a top-flight return for Patrick, who was appointed head coach of Spanish Town Police FC last June after their relegation from the JPL last season. Patrick was replaced at Racing United last summer after their quarter-final finish in their JPL play-offs debut last May. He spent almost a decade at Racing, leading them to promotion to the JPL after several years in St Catherine’s divisional leagues. Patrick, who also has JPL experience with Waterhouse FC, and Maverley Hughenden, had a brief stint with Molynes during the COVID-19-affected JPL season in 2021 where he oversaw six games before departing. Anthony Patrick (Photo: Observer file)