Puerto Rico FC announced the hiring of a new head coach, Adrian Whitbread, and technical director, Neil Sillett.
“We are extremely happy to introduce Adrian as our new head coach, he is a high energy person and a high level thinker who will work well and demand the most from our group. Adrian has had success at many levels and we are looking forward to him leading our team next season.” said Carmelo Anthony, owner of PRFC.
Whitbread brings a lot of coaching experience to the new NASL club. He’s worked with teams such as Barnet FC, Brentford FC, Milton Keynes Dons FC, and Leister City. He also has experience with Puerto Rico soccer, having worked with the Puerto Rico Islanders from 2008 through 2011. Fans of the club may remember that in 2008 the Islanders won the USL regular season league championship final. That same year they reached the semifinals on CONCACAF Championship League. In 2010 that Islanders team also won 2 championships. They won the USSF-D2 Post Championship and the Caribbean Regional Club Championship, which they won again in 2011. (Whitebread’s final year with the club.) In 2014 Adrian Whitebread was hired as U23 Bahrain Olympic Head Coach.
“I’am very excited to get started in putting together a Team that will be successful and one that the Puerto Rican supporters can be proud of. I know firsthand how passionate the fans can be and will do everything I can for Carmelo and the fans to have a team that they can be proud of. “ Whitebread said.
As a former player, coach, and physiotherapists Neil Sillett brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the club as its new technical director. Over the past 20 years Neil has worked at the very highest levels of professional soccer. He’s spent the past two decades working for such teams as Coventry City FC, Portsmouth FC, and Derby County FC. Sillett has demonstrated and unrivaled ability for recognizing quality players and has been instrumental in developing several of these players in the Premiereship Stars. Over the course of his 20 year career he has developed a world renowned reputation as both a coach and an agent.
“Having discussed US soccer with people like Craig Burley, my Father, Colin Clarke, Paulo Wanchope and in particular Sir Alex Ferguson who convinced me it was the right move ,I am sure it is where the major growth lies in soccer. Carmelo and his team have shown great commitment and enterprise in getting PRFC to this position. I am massively proud to be given the chance to help take the club to their desired place in the US soccer ladder.” said Sillett.
PRFC impresses with these their hires at the head coach and technical director positions. They’ve got celebrity ownership, a stadium already secured, and now have talent in the front office, and the head coach position. Fans of the league and of the team are now getting eager to see this team take the pitch next summer.
