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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.
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Safeguarding manager Gary St Rose has defended the integrity of the local body’s operation Read more
The Soca Warriors will face USA in the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup, which will be their third meeting in the Read more
Dutch coach Leo Beenhakker passed away today at the age of 82. Beenhakker won three titles at the helm of Read more
“[…] You’d be lucky to find five kids who can name five national players they admire. The conversations have vanished. Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA) has confirmed the Soca Warriors’ participation in the 2025 Unity Cup, an ‘Afro-Caribbean Read more
“[…] The administration should set in place a programme to begin teaching the youngsters the technical aspects of the game. 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.
You should have provided the link Gordon. Here it is: http://wired868.com/2013/06/18/hart-transplant-ttfa-hires-ex-canada-coach-locals-still-unpaid/
What’s the significance of the old article? To prove that the TTFA has a history of poor and uncoordinated decision making? No plan, no loyalty, poor organizational capabilities, no brain, horrible leadership and zero ethics. Ok I got that point – so tell me what’s new??
Hmmmmmmm.
Before we run and cry i throw wired family back to Lasana Liburd reaction to the hiring of coach Stephen Hart “Hart transplant : TTFA hires ex – Canada coach… Locals still unpaid June 18th, 2013 read and c if the article here has any similarities???
Gordon, what are your thoughts on the hire?
Hahaha Brian Jordan boi u is a smart one!! Good good question!! Went through the available info on the gentleman and to be honest not convinced! That’s my personal view on the other hand i hope he settles quickly gets down to business and get the job done!! My thing is does he know the players and can he get the best from them?? Heard he is very inspirational time will tell!!
If true, I think it’s a terrible hire man. On paper, this coach is nowhere near the man we let go. Now watching to see who his assistants are..
True on paper that’s y i directed u to wired first story on Hart and what was highlighted!! Looked how he turned out and his impact on the team if Saintfiet can do the same it will be great!! He has two early test so we will get a feel for where he is going!!
Hart had better CV when he got here with way more international experience. He was also recommended by Beenhakker. Not convinced bro..
Neither am i but not way more international experience better CV yes and Beenhakker recommendation holds no water to me was close to both processes. All that said i will say not sold on the selection but remember i said at the end of Hart’s run that a coach live and die by his results and selections likewise the football administration will have to live or die by their results and selection!!
Agreed, except on international experience. Hart had 45 international games with Canada from 2006 to 2012. How much does this gentleman have Gordon? Keep in mind, to really compare them as coaches now, we should add Hart’s games in charge of Trinidad as well..
How do u class a coach international experience the number of international games in charge or the number of different teams he have coach? According to the answer then we will know which one of us is correct.
Games in charge of a country are the standard sir..
Coach of 10 international teams for three months each will suffice Gordon Pierre?
Read all my comments please Timothy Rochford! This was side discussion my personal thoughts on the matter is stated clearly above
Was really referring to the man coaching record and thinking aloud. Wondering if that that was one of the criteria for selecting him.
Wow! All I got was we picked the “affordable” option. Cheap ting no good and good ting no cheap. There’s a reason why this guy willing to work for peanuts.
I actually feel sorry for the guy. Trinidad is a hard place.
Not me. The man is obviously a mercenary. He come to get paid. To ass was with we!!
Alana, don’t blame the guy. WE went and found him.
Forget that…. wdmc …. is ah f#/#ing joke
I wonder what d folks like ‘d fearless one’ an all d other who wanted Hart to leave have to say about this??? This guy is d only coach we cud afford or is maybe willing to put up wit d TTFA’s crap…Why r u all surprised?? My Hart still aches though
Ent!! Smh. I hope Andre and Tony Lee happy now!
hahahaha Well Mr Live Wire that might be true, but my dictator president eh business, the same way he sent his players before all over the place just to make monies for his club, he continues with the madness, and just imagine that he didn’t even do anything for the TTFA when he just got into the office but he also ran to be the president of the CFU and lost, my dictator president is really behaving like Pa Pa Dock (Haiti) eh. Them really good yes.
Again it’s about money and when you seriously think about it you think and good coach want to come and not get paid.
The good ones who were on the shortlist did their research and laid down specific terms in their contract. The TTFA couldn’t or wouldn’t meet those requirements so the next best thing is a $7,000 US a month coach. Steuuuuups. We reach.
But the Belgian never coached professionally in Belgium Earl Mango Pierre. Sheldon Bateau probably has more clout in Belgium than him.
And look at this excerpt from Wikipedia on him …… the Nigerian Govt did not approve his work permit ….. read why below. Stephen Hart must be laughing somewhere right now….
Nigeria (Controversy) Edit
In March 2012, Saintfiet was appointed as the technical director of Nigeria by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).[1] However, the Nigerian ministry of sports hinted three months later that there were many competent Nigerians and preferred a Nigerian instead of a foreign technical director.
So this is why people think we are not a serious country. No one in GORTT cares at all , much less make a decision to deny a work permit.
who worse the ttfa or the wicb. and these ppl get paid to make these asinine decisions
Alyuh alright, my dictator president is strictly on business eh, so many more of his players will be following Akeem Adams (R.I.P.) to the Belgium professional league……BOOM.
Mango, Akeem played in Hungary, NOT Belgium.
LOL All those countries is the same to me eh.
BUT WHY?????
http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/tom-saintfiet/profil/trainer/2399
Thanks Che. From a management perspective, there are several red flags when I review his CV. He hasn’t lasted too long in any job, so one would want to know why so many places in such a short time. In several stops on his CV, he didn’t seem to coach a competitive game, so he doesnt appear to have a whole lot of experience either from a national or even a club perspective. Oh well.. you get what you pay for..
All yuh take it easy nah, maybe they will deny him a work permit and make most trinbago football fans happy. Juzt supposing, suppose he comes to TNT and the team is successful then what are Trinbagonians going to say?
wanna bet? lol
Bro you serious! all I seeing here is failure
Yes, I am serious Acko Lewis? Why don’t we give the man a chance like America gave DT a chance. What does TNT have to lose?
Everything
So you fire the local coach, Stephen Hart, because you want success now. And then you want to give the foreign coach a chance?
Nah. Somebody hacked your profile.
Nah, no one hacked my profile it’s me.
HART never carried anyone to the Worldcup, but he got a chance !!! Latapy never carried anyone to a world cup but he got a chance…. So lets open our minds and give the goodly gentleman a fair chance
We doomed lord have mercy!!
I would really like to know the criteria used to select this coach and what aspects of his ability is known to the TTFA that made them make this choice. Is he paying them to coach our team or are they paying him lol.
Anybody see Trini Don?
Yes he was last seen rocovering, from rocking someone’s world with a 6.1 on their Richter scale ??
Jokes aside, this is real ta ta. You don’t bring a knife to a gun fight. I thought we learned that back in 2005.
Wired 868 this sounds like a late o’clock news story inno. Lmao. I know you always on the ball, I jus trying to laugh so I won’t go insane! 🙁
Wired 868 you izza performer. Well done on accurate journalism.
Thanks!
See Shaun Lynch shiva boy players must play for the mad ttfa???
I have nun to say I just watching tricks cuz dem in shit
They go bring a coach from giligans island for the gold cup the skipper
Roderick Kyle Ramcharitar madness yes ??
Is Bangladesh I see they inno ??
Bwtmc!! Them feel is cricket or what??? Bangladesh Inno.. I give up yes
De man looking like Donald trump brother…….. Wahhh is disssss
The way things looking the TTFA will have to hire a coach to coach our new coach.
Hahahaha
is this cricket or football?
“he lasted just two games at Tanzanian club, Young Africans FC, where he was accused of failing to enforce discipline….” Well is now Molino could party the night before a game and not have anybody breathe down his neck.
SERMON ON THE GROUND.
Oh let us not rush to judgement ….lord graciously hear us
Let Mr Saintfiet give our players Saintly feet. ….lord graciously..
DJW knows stuff………lord graciously …etc
No laughing please….lord graciously hear us
??????…..lord graciously hear us
O please faddah ??????…lord graciously ..etc
O Gaaad oye, ah go faint????…lord ? graciously ?
????????????????????????????ded!
There aren’t enough trucks to transport this level shyte.
Lol
“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—…” This guy sounds hungry, sounds like the piper of world football.
Let TTFA make a mistake and leave this man alone in their office, their fridge and other appliance gone.
????
Oh god Chica.??
Who pick dat coach TTCB take care he get the wrong email
I’m waiting until TTFA officially announce that guys appointment. They will have to ban me from their page.
He coaced Bangladesh team? Didn’t know they had a team lol. I know they good in cricket. Lol.
Is the soca warriors a cricket team b real TTFA
Bangladesh??? In soccer / football / world cup level ????
I keep looking at the photo of our new coach and it seems like he’s saying “What’s going on..?” He looks lost even before he takes up his new position.
True.
The guy sounds like a mercenary. He exploits Third World countries.
He is belgian so I think DJW mixed up he is a coaching hazard with he coached Hazard..that is the only explanation.
makes sense
Now dats wat u call two step forward two hundred backward
still cant help we
Well yes we reach wey we going
http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?id=59385&page=archive-read
Thanks David John Williams you have just ruined our world cup chances,you are truly an idiot
All yu serious
Having had time for this to soak in Lasana Liburd you usually save something EXTRA, so tell me WHO ARE THE NEW ASSISTANT COACHES??? I mean clearly this character will need guidance in order to begin prepping for the games in a few weeks time.
That’s like I tell you Stevie Wonder driving the maxi and you ask who is the conductor. Does it really matter? ???
YES… because maybe the conductor might actually be a retired driving instructor lol
Hahaha. Forever the optimist. 😉
I’m a SEASON ticket holder remember? ?
Well let’s see what Mr Saintfeit does.
No
O gooouud! Lol.
Always at the bottom of the barrel. He looks like a maestro who has had enough of the damn concert
This is a joke right. Somebody please tell me this is actually a “Late o’clock news” article i just read…. Unbelievable
Trinidad is the late of clock news reality. we eh peep that yet?
Wired 868 I’m praying you got your information wrong, because I’m ready to pelt bottle !