Leacock: Vranes has my support

Those wishing to see the back of Zoran Vranes Technical Director of this country’s football set up will have to wait a while longer.

In a show of confidence President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation St Claire Leacock endorsed Vranes’ position in a radio call-in programme last Sunday night.

Leacock in his usual defensive mood said “I have confidence in Mr. Vranes as a technical director and as a coach”.{{more}}

“I am not afraid to put my record on the line”, Leacock added.

He said that since the return of the team from Trinidad and Tobago, Vranes had discussions with the executive of the SVGFF, but was not in agreement with every aspect of the report.

It was widely speculated that Vranes would have been sacked after Vincy Heat’s poor showing at the finals of the Digicel Cup in Trinidad and Tobago last month.

But Leacock’s bold endorsement poured cold water on the matter. His pronouncements carry much as he has been the mouthpiece of the other members of his executive.

Instead those looking for a change in personnel will have to wait until elections are called. The next Annual General Meeting according to the SVGFF constitution should be held by May 31. With the current executive on its last leg of its tenure, elections for new members are due at this meeting. The Leacock led executive was voted into office in 2003 for a four year term.

Vranes employed by the present executive, has been in that position since September 2004, following the sacking of the English pair of Aide Shaw and Cess Podd.

Contracted to get results and develop football here, Vranes’ record in matches at all levels is not encouraging. Under his watch the flagship team Vincy Heat has won ten matches against twelve losses and five draws.

The Under-21 show one drawn and one losses, while the Under-16/17 have two wins and five losses.The women have fared worst with three wins and seven losses and one drawn match.

Ironically, the Under-20 team with whom Vranes has had least input, have the best returns, four wins and three losses, giving him an overall record of nineteen wins , twenty eight losses and seven draws.

The Serbia Montenegro born Vranes is paid US $6000 per month as well as other benefits including a vehicle and accommodation for his services, a remuneration Leacock has always defended stoutly.