Mariappa on a new journey as football coach

Former Reggae Boy Adrian Mariappa is on a new journey as a football coach and said he hopes to contribute to the Jamaican national programme if the opportunity arises.

He graduated from the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) Business School with a Global Football Sports Directorship Diploma in September and said coaching football is something he wanted to do from a young age.

“Coaching has been an ambition of mine from early in my playing days. I was fascinated by the day-to-day practices that make a team successful and the work behind the scenes that goes into it,” Mariappa told The Gleaner.

Coaching ambitions

Mariappa, who served the Reggae Boyz as a defender for more than a decade, playing in 72 matches for the island and also being a part of the 2015 Gold Cup final squad, said he would also contribute to the national team as a coach if called upon to do so.

“I certainly have ambitions to coach internationally whether that is with the senior squad or helping our youth squads. But until that opportunity arises I will continue to work on my craft,” the 41-year-old said.

In the meantime, the former Wealdstone, Crystal Palace and Watford FC defender is working as an assistant coach with Watford FC’s under-21 team after being appointed in August.

He said while his experience on the field has helped him a lot, his recent educational achievement is a big addition to his career in football.

“This diploma has given me a deeper understanding of the inner workings of a football club. This along with completing my UEFA A licence recently means that from an educational standpoint, I’ve put myself in a good position.

“The real learning has come from sessions on the grass and learning from the brilliant coaches I’ve had the privilege to work alongside,” he said.

Though he has a career in coaching now, and has about 20 years of professional football experience, Mariappa said he has not called time on his professional playing career as yet despite some reports.

“I haven’t officially retired as there is still a possibility of me playing this season in some capacity in the non-league tiers in England,” Mariappa said.