Duckie replaces Ainstein at Waterhouse FC

Chairman of Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club Waterhouse FC, Bruce Bicknell, says the organisation is delighted with the reappointment of Donovan Duckie as head coach. 

He believes Duckie is the right man to lead the Drewsland-based unit forward. 

Duckie replaces Argentine-born Javier Ainstein, who resigned from the position on Wednesday after just one season in charge. 

Ainstein took over the reins at Waterhouse in January, following the dismissal of Marcel Gayle, and guided the club to the JPL playoffs, where they were eliminated by Cavalier SC in the quarterfinals. 

Duckie is no stranger to Waterhouse, having guided Waterhouse to a third-place finish during the 2012-2013 season. He later led them to a runners-up finish in the 2017-2018 campaign. 

Bicknell said bringing Duckie back to the club was an easy decision because of his strong connection to Waterhouse and proven track record. 

"It was an easy decision because once Duckie decided to come, we knew what he could bring," said Bicknell.  

"He has done well for Waterhouse in the past because we have had some good results with him, and he is very passionate about the club and community as well. We have always had a great deal of respect for him as a person and as a coach and so we are really happy to have him back.” 

The club chairman added: "Over the years, he has improved his qualifications and gotten a lot more experience and I am thrilled to have Duckie back," he said. 

Duckie expressed gratitude to the club's leadership for once again placing trust in him and is eager to continue building on the foundation already established. 

"Let me say a special thanks to Chairman Bruce Bicknell and Donovan White for entrusting me with this responsibility," said Duckie.  

"Just to reflect a bit, the last time I was at Waterhouse, we achieved a lot. I have vivid memories of us being one penalty away from lifting the title, but nonetheless, we gained a Concacaf berth and that was very important to the club's history." 

The experienced coach added that his immediate focus will be on strengthening what is already in place, rather than making wholesale changes. 

"There are a lot of good things that the team is doing. Kudos to the players for the just-concluded season, and it is not for me to tear down and rebuild anything," he said. 

"A lot of work has been put in and it is for me to deal with continuation, maintenance of what is good and improve, while also imposing my philosophy on the players."