Butler should coach with humility
Published:Thursday | November 29, 2018 | 12:00 AM
THE EDITOR, Sir:
If you follow Craig Butler - the mastermind behind Phoenix Football Academy - on social media, you'll know his nickname is 'Bullhead' and 'Bully'. The controversial adoptive father of Jamaica-born footballer Leon Butler is a staple in the local news more so for his combative and bullying nature.
Not taking anything away from Butler's success, coaching his sons and others, and giving them a platform to excel outside Jamaica, he has undermined their achievements by his mannerisms, including unreasonable demands that his sons play for Jamaica when he knows well that he should be honoured to be even asked.
To say he has had a strained relationship over the years with the Jamaica Football Federation is an understatement. Respect is a two-way street; however, you earn it as much as you give it.
A few months ago, Butler tweeted a photo of his 20-year-old son (and Maltese player), Kyle Butler, signing a document with the caption "happy to
put ink to paper ... Fortuna Dusseldorf." The German club, Fortuna, tweeted back immediately, saying that they had "no idea what Kyle Butler is signing there, but it is definitely not a contract between him and Fortuna Dusseldorf!"
This embarrassed Butler and son, and he removed his tweet.
Bailey is a skilled player who was once considered the club's 'star', but he has not been playing well this season and not given much game time, which has triggered a threat from Craig Butler that Leon might leave.
You cannot bully your way to the top. One assumes that Butler means well for all his players, but he is best advised to coach them with humility, and then hope for the best.
P. CHIN