It is now official - Brazilian Rene Simoes is back as national technical director of Jamaica's football programmes.

The announcement was made by Captain Horace Burrell, president of the Jamaica Football federation (JFF), at a press conference held yesterday at the JFF's head office on St. Lucia Avenue in New Kingston.

Burrell said Simoes will take along with him three assistants from Brazil - assistant coach Glydston Ananias, trainer Alfredo Montesso and goalkeeping coach Chico Santos.

The position of technical director has been vacant since the new JFF executive, presided over by Burrell, terminated the contract of Serbia-born Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic just days after taking office on November 4.

The contracts for the new coaches will be for three years with Simoes earning US$600,000 annually (approximately J$42.8 million), while his assistants will each collect US$15,000 per month (approximately J$1.06 million).

Simoes, dubbed 'the little magician' by local fans, recently led Coritiba to the Serie B title and promotion to the top flight of Brazilian football.

Back in charge

Simoes, who was responsible for steering Jamaica to a historic World Cup berth in France 1998, will take charge of the Reggae Boyz as they bid for an appearance in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Brazilian first took charge of Jamaica's football in 1994 and worked through to 2001. During his tenure Jamaica also qualified for two FIFA World Cup finals at the youth level (Under-17 and Under-20). He was replaced by fellow Brazilian Clovis de Oliviera.

After he left Jamaica, Simoes also guided the Brazilian women's team to the silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Burrell added that interim coach Theodore Whitmore, who guided the Reggae Boyz to victories over (El Salvador 3-0, Guatemala 2-0) in their last two friendly international matches, would be one of the assistant coaches in the new national programmes.

"There are other coaches who will be asked to perform duties but the board of directors has decided to allow those appointments to be done by Simoes on his arrival," Burrell said.

Burrell added that the JFF would be responsible for housing for Simoes and his staff, and the Brazilan will be responsible for the preparation of all national teams, including male and female.

Simoes is due to arrive in Jamaica on January 5, and his first game in charge will be on February 6 at the National Stadium against a team to be announced.