If I may - There are pros and cons to having either a foreign or local coach and from the exchanges I've read so far, we seem to have had both at one time or another. It behooves those closely associated with the running of the federation to do an assessment of the tenure of the coaches - the good, the bad, the need improvement. What responsibilities do the coaches have and can some of those be re-assigned so that the coach can get on with the business of coaching? What about the necessary supports for the coach in decision making, disciplinary measures, etc.? My nationalistic self wants a local coach - encouraged and supported to instill the discipline necessary to field a motivated and winning team. It is, ultimately, up to the players to execute the coach's winning strategy on the field of play, with strategic changes made here and there by the coach. Real soccer players are driven to play primarily because of their love for the game. But if it is to become their profession, other considerations become paramount and these considerations are not being taken very seriously by the powers that be - they have families to feed - pay them and pay them handsomely. An ideal situation, perhaps, will be to have a local and a foreign coach as co-coaches - there are ample benefits to such an arrangement in my estimation. Soffie <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>> To view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] <<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>//\\<<//\\>>