‘I don’t want to coach anymore,’ says technical advisor Jacobs

Seasoned football coach Woody Jacobs has expressed his wishes to step away from the touchline and take up technical advisory and talent development roles within the football fraternity.This follows his appointment yesterday by Okahandja United FC as the new technical advisor, serving for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, with only nine games remaining.Jacobs, who served as the club’s coach in 2018, has returned to collaborate with head coach Richard Gariseb and his technical team to improve performance and help the club finish its campaign strongly.In April this year, Jacobs was dismissed as the head coach of Bucks Buccaneers, an act he described as having been handled unprofessionally.“[Having coached several top-tier clubs in the country and Botswana], I don’t think coaches get the respect that they deserve. So I said to myself, and I have said this to many people, that I don’t want to coach anymore, because of [the way coaches are treated],” he told this publication yesterday.‘Don’t be blinded by passion, excitement’Praising veteran coaches like Bobby Samaria and Ronnie Kanalelo, who are known for securing solid contractual terms and having clear professional boundaries, Jacobs cautioned against coaches being blinded by passion and the excitement of new opportunities.“Sometimes, we're so excited about joining a new club or simply earning a paycheck that we forget to ask: Are we protected? Are we being properly equipped to succeed?” the country’s first coach to manage a Botswana premier league team, Matebele FC, remarked.He further indicated he has learned from the experience and will now utilise his teaching background and Confederation of African Football (CAF) A Licence to venture into talent development, a feat he is currently pursuing at the Namibia Football Association (NFA).Reflecting on his appointment, Jacobs believes he has finally returned home for good in Okahandja. “As one of Okahandja United FC’s co-founders, when the team was created and donated to the community in 2018, I am proud to return home.“I am close with the community here, and I have kept ties with my friendship with ‘Congo’ Hindjou [Johannes]. I don’t want to go anywhere [anymore]. I hope I can come in and add value to the club with my years of experience.”Youth development programmeA statement issued by club chairman Johannes ‘Congo’ Hindjou yesterday stated that in addition to his senior team duties, coach Jacobs will also lead the establishment of a youth development programme for boys and girls.“[The programme is] a key step in the club’s long-term strategy to invest in grassroots football and develop future talent,” the statement read.Hindjou expressed pride in Jacobs’ appointment, applauding his expertise at this crucial stage of the season.“His passion for football development aligns perfectly with our goals. We believe he will add great value to the first team and help lay a strong foundation for our youth programme.”- mariud@nsh.com.na

‘I don’t want to coach anymore,’ says technical advisor Jacobs

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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‘I don’t want to coach anymore,’ says technical advisor Jacobs

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-08

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