Jose Martinez, the head coach of the senior national team has tendered his letter of resignation to the department of State for Youths and Sports.

The resignation letter came when the main sponsor of the coaches wages Global Voice decided to terminate the contract of the Spanish coach as head coach of the senior national team in December 2007.

Speaking to the issue regarding the termination of the coaches contract, the permanent secretary of the Department of State for Youths and Sports Mr. Ebou Joof said a letter of resignation was sent to the Department of State from Jose Martinez in January indicating his resignation and the termination of his contract with Global Voice.

According to Permanent Secretary Joof, the Coach really loved The Gambia and the people and had good working relationship with both the GFA and the government of The Gambia.

He said, “the reason for his resignation is due to personal reasons adding that Global voice were responsible for the full payment of the Coaches salary and the only thing government was responsible for is to provide him with transportation.

PS Joof also mentioned that the ministry and the GFA are working hand in glove with the Honorary Consulate General of The Gambia in Milan to have an Italian Coach for The Gambia.

“We have gone so far for getting a foreign coach who was here around November 2007.

He said the Italian Coach, Mr. Lorenzo Rubi Nacci is a professional coach and The Gambia have already gone far in capturing his signature for the country.

It will be recalled that Jose Martinez was appointed as head coach of The Gambia in April 2007 and led the scorpions in the Ghana 2008 qualifiers and collected 5 points in three matches despite taking up the team very late when the qualifiers were at an advance stage.