Donovan Duckie returns to Waterhouse as head coach for new JPL season

Donovan Duckie is back at Waterhouse for the upcoming Jamaica Premier League campaign, eight years after he last left the club.

Duckie takes over from Javier Einstein, who stepped down on Tuesday with immediate effect. The appointment also follows Duckie's own abrupt departure from Chapelton Maroons last week, where he likewise ended his tenure with immediate effect.

A former national youth coach, Duckie previously managed Waterhouse during a second spell in 2017. In that period he lifted the side out of the relegation zone and guided them to the 2018 final, where they fell to Portmore United on penalties.

Duckie thanked Waterhouse chairman Bruce Bnell and president Donovan White for placing their trust in him again.

"The last time I was at Waterhouse, we achieved a lot," he said. "I have vivid memories of us being one penalty away from lifting the title, but nonetheless we gained something very important to the club's history."

He also praised the players for their efforts in the season just ended and pointed to positive work already underway at the club.

Duckie said he is not returning to dismantle what has been built, but to carry forward existing progress while shaping the squad around his own approach.

"A lot of work has been put in, and it's for me to deal with continuation, maintenance of what is good, and improve, and also impose my philosophy on the players," he said. "It's also important to understand the philosophy of the club and what the objectives are. So we'll create a pathway together to achieve the desired outcome."