Match made in heaven - Gilbert pleased with Ainstein partnership at Montego Bay United

Montego Bay United Technical Director Xavier Gilbert says his working relationship with new head coach Javier Ainstien has been near-perfect and they are combining their efforts to make Montego Bay United Jamaica Premier League (JPL) champions next season.Gilbert, who coached the team to fourth place in the league last season but was elevated to technical director after the season concluded, said he and the new head coach have similar views and philosophy of the game, and that together they have already starting moulding the team for next season.“We share a lot of things in common. How we want to play and how we see the game. He pays a lot of attention to details, like myself.“So we are very similar, though we have different formations. We will continue to work together and continue to build what we have at Montego Bay,” he said.He continued: “Things have been good so far. We are now in preparation mode. Looking at what we have, where we need to strengthen, and try to get acquisitions for those positions.“We should have had our first session on Monday. We had a scrimmage with some of the younger players, and all being well, we should start next week. “So currently, we are working together to put together the pieces that we think can land Montego Bay the championship.”Gilbert declared that Ainstien will be responsible for the day-to-day coaching duties, but he will ensure the club’s philosophy is being adhered to, and to provide the coach with technical or tactical support.“He will do the day-to-day coaching. I will be alongside him to offer support. I will have other roles, because we want to get a female programme going.“We have an academy being built, and there is recruitment and sale of players. So I have taken on a lot more responsibilities.“What we want is that in a few years’ time, we can pull players from our academy and junior teams, and my job is to ensure all the coaches are on the same page in terms of the football module and playing philosophy we want to install,” he asserted.“So even if a coach comes in with a different formation, our identity still remains the same. So I will oversee all the teams, all the other programmes, which is a lot of work.”Nevertheless, he will still be an integral part of the JPL team set-up, and he expects the team to put up an even stronger challenge this term.“He (Ainstein) relies on me. He has question about the players, games that we played last season, and situations.“He picks my brain a lot, but all of us want the best for the club.  So I have been sharing information with him, and will continue to do so.“I will be there right through at training sessions and games and supporting him in whatever way I am able to,” he said.With the additions they have made, Gilbert think they are stronger than last season.“We have acquired a couple of significant pieces that we think can push us forward. We should be challenging more seriously, based on the season we had last year and how we performed. And if we have strengthened the squad, we should be better,” he added.livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com