Donovan Duckie Returns to Lead Waterhouse FC After Ainstein Exit

Waterhouse FC have brought Donovan Duckie back as head coach of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) side, the club confirmed yesterday.

Chairman Bruce Bicknell said the Drewsland-based organisation is pleased to have Duckie in charge again and is confident he can steer the team in the right direction.

Duckie steps into the role left vacant by Argentina-born Javier Ainstein, who resigned on Wednesday after serving just under one season. Ainstein assumed control in January after Marcel Gayle was dismissed and took Waterhouse into the JPL playoffs, where Cavalier ended their run in the quarter-finals.

The appointment comes shortly after Duckie left his post at JPL club Chapelton Maroons last week. He is a familiar face at Waterhouse, where he previously delivered strong results, including a third-place finish in the 2012-2013 campaign and a runners-up spot in 2017-2018.

Bicknell said rehiring Duckie required little debate, given his history with the club and his record on the touchline.

"It was an easy decision because, once Duckie decided to come, we knew what he would 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."

"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 thanked the club's leadership for renewing their faith in him and said he intends to build on work already done.

"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 veteran coach said his early priority is to reinforce existing structures rather than overhaul the squad.

"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."