Montego Bay United FC Welcomes New Coach, Rodolfo Zapata, for the 2024-25 Season

(July 10, 2024, Montego Bay, Jamaica) As the Jamaica Premier League 2024-25 football season approaches, Montego Bay United FC (MBU) welcomes Argentinian, Rodolfo Zapata, as the new head coach for the team. MBU was brought under new ownership in the Fall of 2023 and has been undergoing a transformation with renewed investment in resources, players and management. The new coach will further strengthen the Club’s capabilities as the team vies to win the JPL Championships within the next two years.

Zapata is replacing the Brazilian Coach, Neider Dos Santos, who was let go at the end of last season. MBU finished strong by being unbeaten in its last 10 matches of the season and missing the playoffs by a mere goal difference. This year, MBU is determined not to lose any steam at the start of the new season to ensure its rightful place in the playoffs and contesting the top positions in the rankings.

“Coach Zapata brings extensive football and coaching experience to the team. He has worked across Africa, Latin America and the US with a keen ability to adapt training programmes to the culture of the country,” expressed MBU Chairman, Yoni Epstein, CD. “We are looking forward to capitalizing on his commitment to continuity, consistency and ambition fueled by a winning mindset.”

Zapata began his career as a professional football player in Argentina before getting a coaching degree and moving to North America where he worked for the USA Olympic Development Program coaching and identifying young talent for the US national team. He has been a head coach for some of the biggest clubs in South Africa, Botswana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Rwanda, as well as the Fiji U20 National Team. He is also the founder of the Rolo Zapata Academy for boys and girls in Argentina.

“To build a winning team, you must first establish a culture of winning. I want to do something big here, and this will take hard work. I’m here to work hard, not waste my time,” stated coach Zapata when asked what he hopes to achieve here. “This season we are going to start strong and finish strong. I’m here to take MBU to the next level and eventually to CONCACAF.”

MBU’s players are eager to jump back into training and preparations with their new coach, who arrived in Jamaica on July 1 st . Team captain, Owayne Gordon, expressed that “the team is very focused and ready to put in the work to achieve the vision shared by the players, coaches and Club directors.”