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The coach entrusted with taking Trinidad and Tobago to the Russia 2018 World Cup is not coming from South America. His last job was in Bangladesh!
In a bizarre turn of events, Wired868 understands that Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams is set to name 43-year-old Belgian Tom Saintfiet as head coach of the Soca Warriors at a 9am press conference tomorrow at the Marriot Hotel in Port of Spain.
(Copyright BBC)
So, effectively, the local football body’s idea of an upgrade on outgoing coach Stephen Hart appears to be an obscure Belgian who has never coached professionally in Europe, was kicked out of Zimbabwe and Nigeria due to concerns about his quality, lasted six months in Yemen, only two matches in Tanzania and just left a team ranked 183 in the world by FIFA—which is 105 spots lower than Trinidad and Tobago, who are 78th.
Saintfiet’s best spell arguably came at youth level when he led Qatar to the 2005 FIFA Under-17 World Cup, which was that nation’s fifth appearance at that age group competition.
His record as a senior coach is much less impressive.
At Namibia, he enjoyed his longest appointment of nearly two years. The unheralded African nation was ranked 126 in the world when the Belgian landed and he took them to a high of 101, although they plummeted all the way to 128 by the time of his controversial departure in 2010.
Saintfiet stunned his Namibia FA employers when he was officially unveiled as head coach of Zimbabwe while in the midst of a four-year contract with the former nation.
Saintfiet was reportedly wooed by Zimbabwe’s offer of US$7,000 per month, which is less than half of Hart’s pay package and roughly one tenth of the market value for a top level coach in CONCACAF—recently departed Jamaica coach Winfried Schafer was supposedly paid in excess of US$50,000 per month.
(Courtesy Wired868)
The Belgian quickly regretted his move. The Zimbabwe government twice refused its FA’s applications for his work permit—amidst a public outcry that he was no better than the local, Norman Mapeza, he replaced—and Saintfiet was forced to leave the country and beg for his old job back.
“[The Zimbabwe FA] promised me that they will talk to the NFA and it was supposed to happen sooner than it did,” Saintfiet was quoted in the Namibia Sun. “The situation forced me to lie and for that I have to say sorry to the Namibian football-loving people, the NFA and the players as well…
“We signed a contract […] and because I terminated it I have to pay them and I’m doing everything I can so that can be done. What happened was so wrong and I would love to come back and coach Namibia again.”
The Namibia FA did not take him up on the offer.
From then on, Saintfiet lasted six games in Ethiopia and barely four months as Nigeria technical director—allegedly because the Nigeria Ministry of Sport felt the country had many more competent locals and refused to support the move.
Next, he spent two months at Malawi and less than a year at Togo along with some largely anonymous stints at the odd African football club—he lasted just two games at Tanzanian club, Young Africans FC, where he was accused of failing to enforce discipline.
(Copyright Ethiosports)
In April 2016, Saintfiet pleaded for a second chance as Ethiopia National Senior Team coach.
“I don’t care about the money or a contract,” Saintfiet told Eithosports. “I would just like to help change fortunes and start to build things up on a solid foundation. I’m ready to start immediately!”
Ethiopia did not bite and he ended up in a three-month contract from Bangladesh instead.
So, while Hart was preparing the Warriors—who were unbeaten at the time—to seal their place in the CONCACAF Hex against Guatemala, Saintfiet was attempting to take the “Bengal Tigers” past Bhutan and into the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup.
Bangladesh drew goalless at home to Bhutan before falling 3-1 away. The only other outing of Saintfiet’s tenure as Bangladesh coach was a 5-0 friendly defeat away to the Maldives.
Bhutan and the Maldives are ranked 154 and 176 in the world respectively.
Saintfiet’s record in Europe is even less illustrious. The only fully professional team on his home continent to ever hire the Belgian was Finnish club RoPS, who once employed Trinidad and Tobago players Ataulla Guerra and Jamal Gay.
(Courtesy RoPS)
RoPS sacked Saintfiet during their pre-season in April 2008.
Somehow, the obscure Belgian’s CV ended up on the desk of the TTFA’s technical committee as a possible replacement for Hart, who was twice listed on a CONCACAF Coach for Year shortlist in the last years, is the only coach to take Trinidad and Tobago to two Gold Cup quarterfinal berths and led Canada to the 2008 Gold Cup semifinal.
On Monday night, the TTFA’s board of directors selected him as their next head coach, as he beat out competition that included Colombian Luis Fernando Suarez, who took Ecuador to the second round of the Germany 2006 World Cup and steered Honduras to the Brazil 2014 World Cup.
Former Trinidad and Tobago captain David Nakhid was the only local believed to have applied for the vacant job while Englishmen Terry Fenwick and Ricky Hill, Serbian Zoran Vranes and Colombian Francisco Maturana were said to be among the applicants.
The board, according to a source, was informed that Saintfiet was bright, innovative and extremely affordable. It is uncertain exactly how much information was given on the three coaches before the decision. But, in the end, the board voted for Saintfiet.
(Copyright Alchetron)
The current TTFA board of directors comprises: John-Williams (president), Joanne Salazar, Ewing Davis and Allan Warner (vice-presidents), Samuel Saunders (Central FA), Sherwyn Dyer (Eastern Counties Football Union), Karanjabari Williams (Northern FA), Richard Quan Chan (Southern FA), Anthony Moore (Tobago FA), Joseph Taylor (Trinidad and Tobago Football Referees Association), Sharon O’Brien (Women’s League Football), Wayne Cunningham (Eastern FA) and Dexter Skeene (TT Pro League).
The TTFA technical committee consists of: Skeene (chairman), Dr Alvin Henderson (vice-chairman), Bertille St Clair (former World Youth Cup coach), Errol Lovell (former national goalkeeper), Jinelle James (ex-national player and current administrator) and Muhammad Isa (technical director).
It is uncertain how many members attended yesterday board’s meeting.
The TTFA board is believed to have made a second coaching appointment last night for the Women’s National Senior Team. In this case, they voted for the well qualified former Italy and Canada national women’s coach, Carolina Morace, who has already visited Trinidad.
Saintfiet must now prepare the Warriors for 2017 Gold Cup play off action against Suriname and Haiti on 4 and 8 January 2017 respectively as well as World Cup qualifying action against Panama and Mexico on 24 and 28 March respectively.
It will be the first time the Belgian has ever coached a team ranked in the top 100 FIFA nations in the world.
The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team will play two friendlies away to Jamaica on 6 and 9 February, Read more
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“[…] School opens on Monday. I can’t go to Massy Stores and say: I’m a ‘professional footballer’ in the TTPFL; Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-17 team will not have the benefit of an international tournament in Mexico, as Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Dwight Yorke started his era in charge of the Soca Warriors Read more
Dwight Yorke will make his debut as Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach in a friendly away Read more
Lasana Liburd is the managing director and chief editor at Wired868.com and a journalist with over 20 years experience at several Trinidad and Tobago and international publications including Play the Game, World Soccer, UK Guardian and the Trinidad Express.
The TTFA at that time didn’t even recognise his application… That was the point of that question. 😉
..Admires anybody who willing to pay him evidently..
Colin, all this setta spin. De man admire and like all de countries where he looking tuh get ah wuk.
http://m.guardian.co.tt/sports/2016-12-08/saintfiet-admired-tt-long-appointment
I think ANY Coach that was Coaching a team ranked 186th would admire T&T too…just sayin.
Well then again he has to say all the rights things for now eh, wait until he completes his appointment. Them really good yes
Well said Earl Mango Pierre ????????????
LMAO
T&T not serious about making the next World Cup we content with being a second rate
Meanwhile, a few months ago, many were cock sure that Latapy was going brought to be Hart’s replacement.
Hmmm
is this better or worse?
I don’t know. The assumptions were wrong then, why can’t they be wrong now ?
When we use data modeling and risk management analysis wisely, we will know thie probabiliity of success to a higher degree. We won’t be guessing.. Chances are higher at this point that the new coach doesnt succeed Kirwin. I submit. if he does succeed, it will be based on luck alone.. Hope he does though..
Again DJW supporters!
That is who thought they were bringing in Latas
Success at the recent U-17 qualifiers…maybe he would have been brought in.
Conspiracy theories…
Ihu Brian. I’m just recollecting what was said…it was an inaccurate assumption.
I don’t believe all the conspiracies about DJW and crew are true.
Kirwin, the national coach hasn’t been appointed yet. This man got a three month job.
So I don’t know what You are reading into it.
Hmmm
So still a chance of Latas up next ?
Or let me put it to you this way kirwin. If you wanted to coach Trinidad and Tobago: Would you want the job now with the campaign nearly over? Or would you rather wait three months and get the long term contract to rebuild?
I don’t know who is up next. But I’m saying this appointment doesn’t prove anything as it is practically a caretaker appointment.
We will see who DJW really fancies as coach in April.
It was said that Latas would succeed/replace Hart.
That did not happen.
When I’d want the job is not really my point.
It may be telling who is appointed the assistant coach..
Exactly Brian Jordan
Kirwin, Hart has not really been replaced. They hired a caretaker.
On Wednesday the women’s coach got two and a half years, jamaal Shabazz got two and a half years.
Tom got three months.
Don’t pop the champagne yet. Calm down and wait a bit. The coach hasn’t been named yet. They only picked a caretaker.
It is like Ryan Giggs after LVG.
Ok boss.
Will wait a further 4 months 🙂
Any local coach with ambitions of leading the national team would be silly to work as assistant now as they could potentially be smeared by what happens over the next three months.
I wouldn’t expect the future coach to work as assistant now either Brian.
Anyone knows the new General Secretary and Technical Director’s contract length??
Unless they have assurances from DJW Lasana Liburd
Probably 3 months Brian Jordan
Maybe Timothy. But if it goes south and the players reject traveling Tom and the fans end up infuriated, then you can still be smeared.
If I thought I had a shot at the big job, I would find something else to do for three months and wait.
So would I
If so, its a big management hodge podge
For me Kirwin, the smartest man in the TTFA at the moment is Shabazz. A nice long term job in a position that doesn’t invite much scrutiny or fury from the public!
Not that it isn’t an important post. It is. But it’s probably the safest bet there. And the TD is still interim btw.
Let the young boys fight for the glory roles. Jamaal has a nice serene office to serve from. Lol.
Not sure growing the organization when player salaries are tenuous is going to go over well..
Lol
If there are targets to meet he’ll be under some pressure though. But I doubt there’s any real targets as Sandfiet got, lol.
Shabbazz has the experience too.
I’m patiently awaiting to see how this Sandfiet/Hart successor scenario turns out.
I’ll be sure to remind whether I’m right or wrong.
Would you tell us when you win the lotto too Kirwin Weston. Lol
Lol
That doesn’t scare me one bit.
Me neither bestie!!
Bless guys. Have a good one.
Thanks. You too Timothy Rochford
Kirwin, the difference is Jamaal has to answer to the president, TD and technical committee directly and, indirectly, to the knowledgable football community which is a pretty small circle.
In comparison, Tom has to answer to the whole country.
latapy ? never?????? hart should never have been replaced
That’s what I mean Lasana. Shabbazz job is more discretionary that result oriented.
So I agree with you
yes thats exactly true about shabbazz
We should do a poll of who here thinks Hergé going be success or a failure. I vote epic fail.
fail
Amazing DJW supporters
they have to be mad people
The man is a proven failure and DJW es in burro mad grande for wasting my hard earned tax dollars to pay this man…… If the man is so good why didn’t he hire him as W Connection head coach instead….. Eh Bass Cleff , Anselm LeBourne Timothy Rochford ………… Earl Mango Pierre them really good yes….. Setta bandwagon Red Army supporters trying TO BRING IN A FRAUD to coach my beloved warriors
So Devon London you look in your crystal ball and it tell you he’s going to be a failure right?
The man’s reputation precedes him
If ah man failing all he life in he profession what gives u confidence he will succeed?
David Gintoki Aguillera you to intelligent to make such a ludicrous statement, so here are quite a few individuals that failed many times before they succeeded. ” Allyuh fellas good yes ”
https://www.americanexpress.com/us/small-business/openforum/articles/13-business-leaders-who-failed-before-they-succeeded/
he is a boobooleee
Thing is that’s business. Not football.. They can fail and try as much as they like . cause its there money or loans they take to make it grow…..football is trial and error . if u fail once u try somewhere else. But if u fail more than 20times no success.. Then what’s the point beside talking nice words and being a world traveller . vacationing all over the world free…
David Gintoki Aguillera where the man fail 20 times? How do you know he can’t be like Colonel Sanders or Bill Gates or Mark Cuban and succeed now? Football is business.
Anselm LeBourne you ever hears the statements “gopaul luck eh seepaul luck” or ” what good for peter ent good for for paul”??????????????
Very well Devon but I Don’t understand the application.
I wanna see the team he gonna pick ??
Is games d ttfa on… Literally… Set ah crazy people. Between dem an d wicb… Idk who’s better at making a mess of the only thing we HV going for us… Sports…
Anselm LeBourne… I waiting yuh kno…let me see anyone of them in the stadium in ah red jersey if we win especially Earl Mango Pierre and he partner… I’ll kick dem down the stairs. Lololol…
Nah Earl Mango Pierre is meh pardner, jus go and drink ah stag with him.
Why you so violent Bass Cleff?
hahahahahah Try yuh best eh Bass Cleff with all the satire, pecong, and pounding about our Soca Worries and Mr. Bound not to score ah does do everything in meh red jersey eh fuss I am a real ‘Trini” to the bone eh. You really good yes.
Savitri Maharaj Earl Mango Pierre knows only too well is one big hug when I see him. I eh too sure about he partner tho lolllll
He have a partner? Uncle you really good yes..keeping things from me eh
De man have “Mango” in he name, yuh no mango is most people best fren in TNT.
hahahahah Is one love between with my girl Bass Cleff eh and I so wish that she was meh daughter that I never had eh, would have been so proud of her with respect to following in meh footsteps in the football business eh and I am still very proud of her in the football business eh Savitri Maharaj
Earl Mango Pierre watch yourself dey with Bass Cleff, ah find yuh holding she kind ah tight. Lol.
He could do that Anselm LeBourne… Lol
Hahahahahah meh family for life eh Anselm LeBourne.
So most Trinbagonians are mightily upset that our Dictator president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA ) David John Williams picked a no name coach from Belgium to be the Soca Warriors new head coach, but rather than support the new head coach, most Trinbagonians do what the do best was to criticize the man befire he even lift a finger or drop a ball. Many times Trinbagonians “don’t know that they don’t know and when you tell then that they don’t know, they still don’t know that they don’t know.” Rather than give man an opportunity to try and fail many Trinbagonians already doomed the man to failure. Sometimes I wonder if many Trinbagonians were born on the Noah’s Ark and they know everything? I hope the man takes the soca warriors to the 2018 World because that would be great for our country.
People as the buyers of the service or experience own and earn the right to be critical. People want results! And they feel like they’ve not gotten much. The way the process has been handled will also cause people to have concerns. Change of any type is painful and when it is managed as this one was people will get anxious. I don’t see his fit with us either – he has not shown success anywhere else and what concerned me the most is that he did not work out well in Africa and we are asking him to come to TT where he will be coaching a similar demographic. You right people don’t know what they don’t know but the TTFA leadership has a responsibility to be clearer about criteria and assessment. Frankly I’ve lived in eight countries and TT people are not as critical and they need to be . TT people are more accepting than Americans, Canadians, Nigerians, Frenchmen
Just not in this case right? Brian Harry
Anselm LeBourne I dont know what you mean? If you are referring to my last sentence then I suggest you place it in the context of my full answer. I think people need to be more objective and more critical using objective data. The new coach has his resume online and it does not give people comfort that he’s good for us now . People want better and they want results . This is very simple ! If our people were truly critical a lot of the shit that happens in TT simply won’t
Thanks Brian Harry
But at least give the man a chance to fail nah. Most of allyuh already dig the man grave. What happens if he succeeds? Allyuh ever thought Crawford could win a gold medal in the 1976 Olympics?
Anselm LeBourne yes we all knew that Crawford had the potential because it had been demonstrated many times over . There were many RINE he was the top NCAA Sprinter. Poor example , so it helps me make the point! Thanks . Where is the evidence of potential with this new coach? Yiu missing a simple point – people are fed up with underperformance and they want better. I’m glad that you are patient about it
Brian Harry yes Crawford had potential but he was not even picked to be a finalist in the Olympics my friend. Did you know that? War Earl Mango Pierre does say again “dem fellas good yes “
Anselm LeBourne that’s not true! I do know that history well. None the less that’s a side point. People have a right to demand more and that’s my point! I’m happy that they are starting to ask for more . I’m done on this
How come DJW did not say he has the confidence that Tom would take us to the World Cup. Instead of giving him a public ultimatum.
Timothy Rochford that’s the strange piece to this puzzle . He gives the man a public ultimatum and we as the PAYING public should sit back and have confidence?? I don’t get it! I’m glad TT folks are speaking up for once
Do as I say…
Give the man a chance to “fail”? Like you drinking babash with your morning coffee or what? DJW is rubbish …his appointments are rubbish…his philosophy is rubbish …and you are talking ..yes you guessed it ….rubbish!!
Malik Johnson yes you are right. I dint know where or how he arrived with that “interesting” suggestion.
Who sleeping with who here boy….ttfa trying to kill our ambitions….
Our problem in a nutshell is that our football is not good. Let’s not try to hold anyone else responsible for that …
Its that simple isn’t it ..lol
hahahahahah Mr. Live Wire is ah top of the line debator eh and I am positively certain that he won all the debating competitions back in his schooldays eh.
?
Nah Earl is the humourist
I used too think so
We are a very special kind of people eh and we always take everything for a joke at least some of us , but just imagine if a Tsuami was really coming to hit our sweet country eh, you know somebody wudda organize a “Tsuami” party eh, the same as when they had organized the parties for the curfew back in 1990 eh hahahaha Them really good yes.
And just look at some of the comments when Mr. Live Wire posts his stories eh, especially when the new Coach got hired eh, all I was doing was laughing yes because we really like the satire, pecong, and the jokes eh, and the Coach didn’t even get his chance to prove himself as yet but is plenty pounding in his tail. hahahahaha Them really good yes
Pounding and ultimatum!
Yes it surely is and I just love to pound meh players back in meh Coaching days eh just to make them get better eh, it is like the Japanesse father who always turns his back on his son when he is speaking to him because he doesn’t want him to see his love and his emotions for him, he has to remain the strict disciplinarian that he is eh, and I know that some folks surely gets upset with me for calling KJ Mr. bound not to score and our team the Soca Worries and I am positively certain that maybe they think that I am the one who did the picture with the three fellas with the big stones waiting for KJ to eh LOL but I am not so creative but there are the ones in our sweet country who have that kind of talent, You all remember the days back then when yuh friends and supporters would call you a shit hound loud, loud, when yuh playing shit eh and telling the Coach to take you off eh and going forward yuh better brush up on your skills eh because the girls pounding you the same way and that is how our standards use to raise hence the reason why I am always calling for our football to return to the communities and for the fields to be fix in a very quick timing so that we can also save plenty of our youths with the power of the football especially in Diego Martin,Morvant , San Juan, Arima, Enterprise, South areas and other areas where the young folks are crying out for our help eh and I know that most definitely we shall rise again.
Most definitely Earl Mango Pierre and I assure you we are doing our part in Arima with Sports and Games FC Santa Rosa
Earl Mango Pierre you is the Constructive type and lasana is the bachannalist nah ???
Hence the reason why ah love meh wired volley 868 eh, we have the bacchanalist group and the constructive serious business group eh and laughter is very good for the soul. hahahahahaha
Allyuh really good yes..put a smile on meh hassled face..lol
I dont no wat d hell dey bring he here for give terry to job
Looool
David Gintoki Aguillera And we will be needing a Lawyer for the “Players Association” to eh so put in a good word for me with Reyna Kowlessar eh LOL
hahahaha nah man, nah man.
Lmaooo!!! Ah hope is the prestigious presidents and not them inflated ones lol
hahahahaha No problem et all eh and you will be getting paid with meh dead men presidents eh. David Gintoki Aguillera
Once u paying me body guard fee uncle Earl Mango Pierre we in business
Ah know ent but most of the times I am misunderstood eh because I like meh pecong, satire, chaining up meh people eh, but when I am ready they won’t like to see the other side of midnight eh. Them really good yes. hahahahaha
You good yes.
Ttff you are all major fucking idiots not to higher Suarez or vranes to choose this quack
Shaka Hislop said it well. If a local with the same CV east Saintfiet had applied he word not have been shortlisted far less selected.
Timothy Rochford BOOM
And not with the administration
Since Mr. John-Williams plans to fire whomever after we lose those two upcoming games, I guess it really doesn’t matter who is the coach, yes? Sad…
Unless we get our players including our women to the standards that is needed to compete with the real professional players abroad eh, from the youth to senior level, no matter which Coach is hired to coach our national teams we will continue spinning top in the mud, because the problems with our football isn’t with the Coaches, the problems are with our players. Them really good yes.
The players do not exist in a vacuum. It’s a relatively young team that needs a coach who knows how to communicate and coach young players and an administration which will give the coach the time and the tools to be successful. And yes the players are responsible for coming to camp relatively fit and be prepared to hit the ground running. We don’t have time for coddling and disciplining players.
Gerard Johnson but at the professional and when players representing their sweet countries they all should already be Coached and understands the subject eh, the only thing the professional and the country Coaches should be doing is implementing the game plan for them to win the games, but in our sweet country there are players for example Mr. Bound not to score who cannot collect or even pass the ball properly and I can also include others eh including our goal keepers. Them really good yes.
Earl Mango Pierre The funny thing is successive coaches believe they can make him into a forward because of his physique and continue to try even though he lacks all the instincts of a forward. So I don’t blame the guy. I blame coaches who refuse to accept the obvious and continue to play him in a position for which he is obviously unsuited.
I agree with you 1000% especially when he don’t have anymore midfield/playmakers like Russell The Magician Latapy, Otis Whitley, Kerwin Hardest Jemmot, just naming a few who can give him the service that he needs to score the goals eh and all he has to do is get in the right position on the field or as Coach Hart said once the opponents are marking him with two or three players our players that is free should always be capitalizing eh, but it seems that they doesn’t really understand the subject. Them really good yes.
Another problem I see in our sweet country is that we have to be there for our young players that comes from the single family homes where their moms are trying to make the ends meet especially if she have other children and many times these talented players doesn’t have the funds to attended practice be it the national youth teams or their teams, they cannot afford the right equipment to play the games especially in the wet season, they are not eating the right foods hence the reason why I will keep on calling for the “Players Association” that is needed so badly in our sweet country so that we can do our part with respect to being there for them with seminars and other important things that they should know to help them along the way in becoming a real professional, the Association that I speak about isn’t only about defending their rights and to stop the exploitation it is more bigger than that eh so I am still waiting very patiently for Gordon Pierre for us to get the ball rolling eh. Them really good yes.
Earl Mango Pierre call a meeting soon I want to be a part of this players association
..Like you study under Machiavelli. That sounds like a viable TFFA plan..