Vincenti's dismissal is good news for Guernsey

THE sacking of Peter Vincenti as Jersey island manager should be seen as a positive for Guernsey's hopes in this year's Cimandis Muratti Vase and inter-insular competitions in the short term. That is the opinion of former greens' boss Phil Corbet, who tangled with the big Scot on many occasions.

'Guernsey will definitely be stronger as a result.

'He's got a proven track record and that gives players confidence.'

Current boss Steve Ogier said all the statistical evidence pointed to Jersey being weaker for Vincenti going.

'He seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to Guernsey-Jersey.

'His record is second to none.'

But, sensibly, Ogier said it was dangerous to simply assume the red-and-whites will be a weaker side come the final in May.

'It depends on how the players react,' added a man who trails 2-1 in head-to-heads with Vincenti and will now not get the chance to level the score.

Meanwhile Vincenti has claimed he has been dismissed for no reason.

He was removed from his position as senior and under-21 team manager late on Friday night, the decision having been taken at a special Jersey Football Association executive council meeting held at Springfield the previous evening.

Vincenti said: 'I can't for the life of me see why I've been dismissed. Yes, there have been disagreements with the JFA, but the Football Association have backed me up and the JFA don't see that.

'How can they do something like this when the person they are talking about has no knowledge of the meeting? Therefore I have been unable to defend myself.

'I'm really disappointed, especially for the players and the management team.

'The JFA have been disrespectful to all of us and, yes, we have had our differences. They promised games for the players and they have not delivered. They were scared stiff that a men's team would not be in place for the Island Games.

'I was the only person who could have got that together and I feel I've been used.

'We recently played against the Irish Schoolboys and the president thanked the match officials and the Irish team - nothing was said to the Jersey players or management.

'I have always been extremely proud and passionate for local football having played and managed at the most senior island level.

'I'm confident that the problems I have encountered and have brought to the attention of the FA and the JFA will benefit island players in the future and, for that very reason, losing my position of manager is to me a very small sacrifice, however unfair.'

Vincenti indicated that he would have stepped down from his post after the Island Games this summer.

JFA president Weir said: 'There has been a lot of differing opinions and views both ways and it needed to be sorted. Peter is entitled to his say but his views were diametrically opposed to our own.

'The JFA decision taken was unanimous and to my knowledge involved eight people who were involved in sanctioning his appointment.

'Personally I'm disappointed to have reached this decision. However, we were appointed to show strong leadership and act in the best interests of football on a wider scale and this is what we have done.

'It was not an easy call to make and it wasn't a decision taken lightly. But I believe it was a correct one and we move on. I wish Peter well for his future while we will now focus on looking for a replacement.

'I'm not prepared to get into a war of words through the media. I offered Peter the opportunity to discuss matters privately today but he has refused.'

Weir confirmed that the JFA had decided to end Vincenti's tenure following the manager's correspondence with the FA.

Weir added: 'He expressed personal sentiments and took certain actions in correspondence with the FA and JFA which clearly indicated a lack of trust of the JFA executive and council.

'His views were totally at odds with our views and how the JFA feel they should be represented. This quite clearly showed that a respectful and trusting continuing working relationship was unsustainable.

'We have acted correctly and a spokesman at the FA confirmed he was entirely satisfied with the integrity and ability of the executive and employees of the JFA and feel there is no reason for the FA to involve themselves any further in any recently report activities.'

Weir confirmed that the managerial position will be advertised shortly.

An Island/Coca-Cola Combi-nation select of players will play in a friendly on 19 March and St Paul's manager Craig Culkin will take charge of the island squad until the end of the month.

Weir added: 'Craig will give us continuity because he was already involved with the squad as a coach.'

Jersey Scottish manager Pat Brennan has been approached too and he has agreed to help run the opposition.

'It's far too early to say who is in contention for the managerial position. Any decision made will be made in the first week of April. This is because the position will be advertised. Also there are a number of excellent coaches and managers currently involved with their clubs at a very important stage of the season.'

Vincenti returned to the post of manager on 24 January last year after previous manager Dave Matthews quit after 33 games in charge.

He took the post ahead of the then St Paul's manager, Tony Hoyland, Trinity F&SC joint-manager Joe Morley and an unnamed former Birmingham City professional who was not interviewed because he lived off-island.

Last season Vincenti took Jersey to senior Muratti and U21 successes while this season the U21s were defeated by Guernsey.

Vincenti's previous tenure was between 1992 and 1998 when he guided teams to five senior Muratti and five under-21 Muratti wins and Island Games gold in 1993 and 1997 and bronze in 1995.