Former North Carolina University alumnus Jamath Shoffner has taken over as the head coach of Belgian Challenger League strugglers, KV Oostende, as they try to avoid a second consecutive relegation.
The 45-year-old American terminated his contract with Luxembourg side F91 Dudelange in January, where he was head coach, in order to take over the reins of the American owned seaside team as they try to navigate their way to safety after a tough first half of the season.
Yanks Abroad caught up with Shoffner after the team’s recent victory over Royal Francs Borains.
Speaking about the victory that evening against Francs Borains, the American said, “I couldn’t be more proud of the guys. The effort that they gave tonight, having played our fourth game in nine days, it was a big win.”
As the points on the night were pertinent to the team’s second division survival, he felt that it was a bigger win than their Belgian Cup quarter-final win over Pro League side Molenbeek several weeks before and also the 1-1 result in their first leg of the against defending league and cup winners, Royal Antwerp.
“Everytime you get three points and move up the table it’s a relief for the guys, so I think now we just keep going, game by game and they responded each time.”
The American-owned team is currently dealing with legal issues, with one of them being the accusation of breaching Financial Fair Play rules, and had been deducted nine points this season; although through an appeal, they have been give back three points. The team is also currently under control of an outside administrator that has taken charge of the business end of the team, with the ultimate goal being to find a new buyer for KVO.
Not wanting to step out of his area of responsibility, Shoffner stated “The guys and I, we just try to focus on the football. There’s a lot going on around the club, but the guys want to be on the pitch and us coaches as well, so if we can focus on that it really helps us.”
The coach may not be on every American soccer fan’s radar despite a lengthy career in Europe, although he had spent time playing as a defender and midfielder for lower league American teams Carolina Dynamo and Virginia Beach Mariners. Most of his playing career however was in Europe with teams in Germany and Luxembourg.
Getting to where he is today, the coach said, “It’s been a long journey. I played in Germany and Luxembourg and then started coaching in Luxembourg. I coached with their (Luxembourg) national team, then as a senior national team assistant coach.”
In fact, the North Carolinian is one of a few Americans who have completed their UEFA Coaching License.
Heading back to the USA, he joined the coaching staff of the USA U-20s and was one of Tab Ramos’ assistants when the team went to Poland to compete in the 2019 World Cup. That team had players such as Tim Weah and Sergino Dest.
“I was (then) an assistant at MLS Charlotte FC, and then came to Dudelange in Luxembourg.”
While there, the team beat St Patricks Athletic of the Irish Premier League both home and away, to become the only team from Luxembourg to make it to the next round in any European competition.
Now in Belgium on a new contract, the first job at hand is to maintain the team’s status in the Challenger League.
“We’re trying and I think the guys are really responding well. It is a there at the moment with the things going on. But the guys are doing a great job.”
Regarding the future, the coach is remaining optimistic.
“I have a two and a half year contract, so for the moment I’m here and then we just keep growing and see where it goes. The club is great, they have been very welcoming to me. the facilities are fantastic, the stadium is great, it has so much potential to be a really good club.”
Getting the best players possible to help the team progress is the main goal and Shoffner is, of course, open to seeing some American players join him.
“I’ve been over here for a while and played here, and know that its not easy for Americans, because you come over here and the language is different, the culture is different, the football is different. They think they can come and walk right in [to the starting XI]. It’s hard but yeah, we’re open to Americans coming, open to anyone coming, as long as it’s the right fit.”
After mixed fortunes since the interview, KV Oostende is currently in 13th place in the 16 team league, just three points from an automatic relegation spot. With just seven games left to the season, the Seasiders will first play the second semi-final against Royal Antwerp on Thursday night before returning to league action where they’ll go up against mid-table SK Beveren.
