Jordan’s new coach eyes further achievements in Asian Cup

AMMAN — Jordan's national football team will work hard to go beyond its achievements in the last two iterations of the Asian Cup, the new head coach, Raymond Wilkins, said Wednesday. 

"In the Asian Cup, we have reached the quarter-finals in the last two occasions and we have to go [further]," Wilkins said at a press conference after signing his contract. 

"I feel extremely comfortable in the job that I am about to do. I will get to know the players… and I tend to do that very quickly,” the coach said. 

He told reporters that he was extremely "flattered and honoured" to be asked to coach the Nashama (the brave ones) for the coming Asian Cup.

"I think where we come from in England we have a winning mentality... I want to succeed; I don't want to lose, so we will work extremely hard to make that happen." 

HRH Prince Ali, president of the Jordan Football Association (JFA), said in a statement that the decision to appoint the English coach was taken following a thorough selection process and consultations with football experts and friends.

"We have found that Wilkins' international expertise is in line with our requirements and ambitions. This is going to be a unique opportunity for us to learn from someone who has contributed to the success of a number of elite English football clubs," the prince said in the statement.

At a JFA meeting held on the same day, Prince Ali said the new coach will work closely with local football clubs and other stakeholders to improve the national team, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The JFA's executive commission expressed its full support for the coaching team and said it will give the coach ample time to lead the team to major achievements.

Wilkins said he perfectly understands that the attitude of the players and the way players work will be totally different from what he has been used to. 

"But I'm having no problem with that at all," he said, adding that the coaching staff that joined the players in Uzbekistan and China will remain with him.

The Jordanian coaching staff includes Ahmad Abdel Kader, Anzour Hina and Walid Mikhael, in addition to Brazilian fitness coach Manuel. 

Jordan will play Japan, Iraq and Palestine in Group D during the upcoming Asian Football Confederation’s 2015 Asian Cup in Australia. 

Wilkins won 84 caps for England during his playing days, which spanned more than two decades, according to Reuters. He played as a midfielder for a handful of different teams, including Manchester United, Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.

He began coaching in 1994 and worked as an assistant with several teams, including Fulham, Chelsea, Watford and Millwall.

He returned to Fulham as an assistant coach in 2013 before leaving the post earlier this year, according to Reuters.