THE Guyana Football Federation (GFF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Dooley, a former captain of the United States men’s national team and a highly experienced international coach, as the new Head Coach of the Guyana senior men’s national team.

This marks the beginning of a new era for the Golden Jaguars as the federation embarks on a

strategic push to elevate the national programme, both in terms of performance and

professionalism.

“I am delighted to welcome Coach Dooley to the GFF family,” said GFF President Wayne

Forde. “He joins us at the beginning of a new cycle for the senior men’s national team

programme and has the opportunity to introduce his coaching philosophy and build a strong

technical staff around him.

“As a highly qualified Gaffer with years of experience, he brings a full set of tools and expertise

for the change in direction we would like to see. He will have our complete support and I look

forward to meeting with him in the coming weeks to charter a new course for our beloved

Golden Jaguars Programme.”

Dooley brings with him an exceptional résumé, shaped by decades at the highest levels of the

game, both as a player and as a coach.

As a player, he earned 81 caps for the United States, captained the team at the 1998 FIFA

World Cup, and played in two World Cups overall. He was inducted into the U.S. National

Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010 and was widely recognised during his career, earning several

“Best XI” awards in Major League Soccer and helping lead the U.S. to the Round of 16 in the

1994 World Cup. His professional playing career also included a stint at Bundesliga club,

Bayer Leverkusen.

On the sidelines, his coaching career has been equally decorated. Dooley:

• Served as National Head Coach of the Philippines (2014–2018), leading them

to an unbeaten qualification campaign for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and setting 11 national

team records.

• Was Sporting Director of Viettel FC in Vietnam, where he helped the club win

its first championship in 23 years.

• Held assistant coaching roles with the USA men’s national team and USA

U20 men’s national team, working under renowned coach Jürgen Klinsmann and helping the

youth team qualify for the U20 FIFA World Cup.

• Is a UEFA Pro Licence holder, the highest global certification in football coaching.

Dooley also has experience in Germany’s Bundesliga, Major League Soccer (MLS), and U.S.

youth development, making him one of the most well-rounded coaches ever appointed to lead

Guyana’s senior men’s programme.

“I am truly honoured and excited to take on the role of Head Coach for the Guyana national

team,” said Dooley.

“I have been deeply impressed by the talent and potential of this group of players, and I firmly

believe they can achieve even greater heights with the right mindset, attitude, and sense of

responsibility.

“There is a bright future ahead for this team, and I am eager to work closely with the players,

coaching staff, management, media, and fans to unlock that potential. Together, we can write

new and inspiring chapters in Guyana’s football story, driven by a shared passion and

commitment to excellence.”

Coach Dooley will officially assume his role in the coming days, with immediate focus on

assessing the current player pool, building out his technical team, and preparing for the 2026

campaigns. He is also expected to visit Guyana shortly for introductory meetings and technical

briefings.

The GFF sees this appointment as a long-term investment in the national team’s structure,