Personal commitments have compelled Fiji Futsal and Beach Soccer head coach Jerry Sam to step down from the role and return home to the Solomon Islands.
His return marks the end of a nearly three-year stint with the Fiji Football Association, coaching the men’s and women’s futsal and the men’s beach soccer team.
Sam’s departure was explained by the president of the Fiji FA, Rajesh Patel, following the conclusion of the Fiji FA Council Meeting at Vatuwaqa in Suva on Sunday.
“Jerry Sam has decided to move back because of his family reasons. He has got a land issue to sort out in the Solomon Islands so he’s decided to move back to the Solomons,” Patel explained.
He added the association understood his intent to leave and said the association would let players and officials do the same in similar circumstances.
“We cannot hold them down and if they’d like to move. We have to give them the right to move,” he said.
“If they are passionate that they want to still be in Fiji, they would have stayed and asked for a new contract and it’s not that none of them are indispensable – everyone’s dispensable.”
As coach Sam departs Fiji for home after leading national teams to regional and international competitions over the years, Patel has signalled interest to anyone wanting to fill in Sam’s shoes.
“We will look at the opportunity, maybe a new coach will come with new ideas too and it might be an opportunity for another coach to apply.
“They’ve seen our program, they’ve seen how vibrant futsal and everything is here and beach soccer.”
Patel said a replacement would step into the role within a month.
