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Former Trinidad and Tobago World Cup 2006 defender Dennis Lawrence has done a U-turn and will be unveiled as the new Soca Warriors coach, after he agreed terms with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) on Saturday morning.
“I feel very honoured and humbled by this opportunity and the confidence placed in me by the Association,” said Lawrence, in a press release. “I have given my all for Trinidad and Tobago as a player and now relish this moment to contribute as head coach of the National Team.”
(Copyright Everton Forum)
It is uncertain at this point whether he eventually agreed a two or three year deal.
Lawrence, who was employed as a scout for the Belgium National Senior Team at present, pulled out of talks on Friday morning after the football body amended their initial deal with controversial termination clauses and then seemed unable to explain them.
The TTFA wanted the right to sack the six foot seven Lawrence for gross misconduct if the Warriors slipped six places in the FIFA ranking or had less than a 40 percent success rate. But, in a subsequent phone call, Lawrence’s agent, Mike Berry, claimed TTFA president David John-Williams did not know if draws counted as success and promised to get back on to him.
John-Williams’ failure to do so in a timely fashion added to a growing unease about the sudden direction of the negotiations and Lawrence announced that the deal was off.
The scuppering of the talks led to a furious response from some TTFA board members who blamed John-Williams for bungling the talks.
John-Williams, who is the co-owner of W Connection football club, was allegedly keen to have his own employee, Stuart Charles-Fevrier, take over the National Senior Team.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
It is uncertain what role, if any, was played by the board and the angry public response to John-Williams’ perceived meddling. But the TTFA president is believed to have subsequently applied fresh zeal to the pursuit of the 42-year-old coach.
And, by Saturday morning, the deal was concluded.
Remarkably, the TTFA tried to take credit for the supposed speed of the appointment, which came two months after the replacement of former head coach Stephen Hart and almost two weeks after the departure of his shambolic replacement, Tom Saintfiet.
“The TTFA has worked diligently to complete the selection process ahead of our intended next Monday deadline, and this press release is now being made in order to quell further speculation and keep our stakeholders informed.
“Dennis will arrive in the country next week where he will hold a press conference and meet with members of the local football fraternity to determine the rest of his support staff.”
Lawrence has never worked as a head coach although he served as assistant to Roberto Martinez at Wigan Athletic—where they edged Manchester City to the FA Cup title in 2013—and Everton FC.
(Copyright Liverpool Echo)
Intriguingly, like his predecessor Tom Saintfiet, Lawrence was not the first choice of the TTFA’s technical committee. Or the second.
Fevrier was the coach who the technical committee felt was the best man for the job of leading the Warriors. Ex-Central FC and San Juan Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick, a former England international defender, was next on the list.
However, in a meeting on Wednesday night, the TTFA board of directors decided to overrule its technical committee’s recommendations in favour of the lanky defender whose goal took Trinidad and Tobago to the 2006 World Cup.
Lawrence played or trained alongside several current Warriors including Kenwyne Jones, Marvin Phillip, Carlos Edwards, Khaleem Hyland, Jan-Michael Williams, Cornell Glen, Hughtun Hector and Radanfah Abu Bakr.
He has included former club and international teammates Stern John, Angus Eve and Hutson “Barber” Charles as potential assistants for his technical staff, along with two unnamed England coaches and one from the Netherlands.
Charles, a Strike Squad standout who played with Lawrence at the Defence Force, was a member of Hart’s coaching staff, which steered Trinidad and Tobago into the Concacaf Hex.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Eve, Trinidad and Tobago’s record appearance maker, is Club Sando head coach and a former National Under-23 Team head coach while John, the country’s all-time leading scorer, is assistant coach at defending Pro League and Caribbean champions, Central FC.
TTFA press statement (signed by president David John-Williams and new head coach Dennis Lawrence):
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) is pleased to announce that Mr Dennis Lawrence has accepted the position of head coach of the Men’s Senior National Team.
The TTFA has worked diligently to complete the selection process ahead of our intended next Monday deadline, and this press release is now being made in order to quell further speculation and keep our stakeholders informed…
Dennis will arrive in the country next week where he will hold a press conference and meet with members of the local football fraternity to determine the rest of his support staff.
In accepting the appointment, Dennis Lawrence stated: “I feel very honoured and humbled by this opportunity and the confidence placed in me by the Association. I have given my all for Trinidad and Tobago as a player and now relish this moment to contribute as head coach of the National Team.
“Of course I am coming into a difficult situation and we have to take each game very seriously and put our best foot forward. The experience I gained working under different coaches during my 89 international caps for T&T and my exposure in coaching has all helped to shape me. I intend to give my very best towards this national effort.”
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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 had better watch your ass Tallest. Mr. WConnection only wants his boys on the TT team. Ask Stephen Hart and the Belgian. John-Williams wants to pick the team, tell them how to play, who can leave the camp and go and party, and who is really the boss. And it won’t be you Tallest. He, John-Williams is the man. Do not for one minute think you are in charge. Your ass is grass and he is the fucking lawn mower.
I giving him six months. …..
POSITIVE VIBES LET’S GO AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
Haha ha
Firstly he been around the right coaches and staff in d Prem and he played the game plus he Trini he wud understand better let’s give him a chance if we cud give foreigners a chance y not a trini
I done
Poor fella..I hope he knows who his boss is..
The saga continues wait for it eh Dan he will get the same treatment to select WC players lol
This guy have luck on his side, it’s a mirror image of the path to qualification to 2006, things might just happen like it did in 2006
Haha good one lol
Dennis is the man, scored the most important goal of our football history..I trust he can inspire as a coach as well
Lol
Dale he jus wanna be home for carnival I feel Dan how you gonna leave being Belgium scout to come coach the depleted warriors done dead in the water already lol
Wishing the new coach the best of luck in his new position. Letting him know that he needs to scout players outside of those in the jokey so called pro ranks.
TTFA you people serious ,,,,Fuk WoW !!!!!!!??????????
Wtf them mad
We coming with a cinderella story after all this unnecessary drama DJW causing…. All the best Lawrance
Only hope and players with real guts will get us out….
All this had happen here would drive them to work hard and push for Russia
We just need to support them and not bring them down
I would like to take this opportunity to wish Dennis Lawrence all the very best in his new position as T&T Head Coach. Good luck Dennis, be your own man and don’t let these bastards throw you under the bus!
May I also thank you all for the overwhelming support you have afforded me in this melee of confusion hosted by the TTFA.
I had them in a panic, they were buckling under your pressure because they know…. I am in hope we can hold tight until this admin has gone through.
I hope an administration comes in one day and gives you the shot you deserve after giving your all for the betterment of T&T football . Patience Gaffer ?
Nice touch!
Could he take us to our second world cup wish him all the best
I feel DJW is on serious cocaine and Alcohol. Allure serious. The footballers, Staff, TTFA president should all resign immediately.
He’s in love with the coco lol
Lmaoo
When d TTFA done wit him he go know bout humble.
So…we hases a coach?
Yess indeed. The vibes it up man. Lol.
I wish him well
Mr me Mum finder
TACTICAL RETREAT BY DJW – BUT HE WILL COME AGAIN IT IS HIS NATURE. – BE CAREFUL ‘TALLEST’.
It appears as though he desperately wants to firmly establish himself as the MAXIMUM LEADER of our FOOTBALL, somewhat in the mold of one of his better known predecessors. In this regard he falls and will continue to fall palpably short, as he lacks the CUNNING and GUILE of that elusive predecessor.
Not sure you’re right. What he does lack is the lengthy experience and the network of influential people and lackeys that that predecessor had. He (the predecessor) started his administrative career in football, remember, in the 1960’s and was still the TTFA’s Voice of One more than 40 years later in the 00’s.
Dennis go brave bro if the whole of Trinidad think positive we will succeed. Go T&T
Or and I am positively certain that he will always be in touch with his mentor Coach Martinez to eh, that will always guide him in the right direction eh. hahahaha
Yes but Martinez can’t shield from the malicious sword of DJW. There’s a good reason why most people saw the solution as either Fenwick or maturana but the TTFA didn’t – terry has proven he will do what he thinks is right and so has Maturana. There would not have been interference if either of them were in charge. I’m just sitting back and waiting to see how this unfolds. The good thing for Dennis is that he could always go back to where he’s valued
Well never forget that he has us the wired members in his corner eh and you done know already that we have an informer in the TTFA so that Mr Live Wire can expose him as usual eh, so let my dictator president try any madness again, he will find out where barley grows eh. Them really good yes.
Not an informer, Mango, an informant. There is an important difference.
Earl Mango Pierre how much you donating to Mr Livewire legal defense fund? Lol
hahahahahaha You eh notice that they does back off eh, and that is because meh friend Mr. Live Wire is covered with the blood of my father God eh, so no weapon that is formed against him shall ever prosper in Jesus name…..Amen. Them really good yes.
Who are they kidding..get rid of DJW, Salazar who please is an idiot, and Isa come on now he sleeping half the time! Corrupt all of them.
Well as I said in another post, Dennis plus will be the three foreign base real professional Coaches England/ Holland that he is bringing on board with him and I will be right here to always have his back eh so it will be a done deal. hahahaha
Glad you have that much power
Yuh think that I am a jokey bacchanalist or wha ask Hassan C Araujo and meh family Savitri Maharaj……and I am the composer of the both songs eh “Bachanalist”…Kerwin Dubois and now “We eh business eh”. 2017…..Maximus Dan. hahahahaha
We jammin still. ..Mango we ain’t stopping…lol
And that is the song that will take us to the 2018 World cup in Russia eh hahahaha
Earl Mango Pierre I buying some Pom poms for you and a pair of shorts – we have to deck you out as the head of the cheerleaders in Russia
hahahahaha Not me eh, I didn’t even go to Germany in 2006 when our Soca Worries qualified for our first ever World Cup, so I won’t be going to no World Cup 2018 in Russia neither eh Them really good yes.
Dennis Lawrence is a gamble but I’m not necessarily against it. Our football needs experienced hands and someone who can have the respect of the TTFA. The shenanigans of the last few days are not a good sign and I believe that Dennis has already been undermined. I don’t interpret DJW as a man who won’t have his way- he will not do like Roy Rogers and ride off into the sunset. Dennis will have to deal with him and I’m not sure that Dennis has that confidence and experience yet to tell him to f&$k off. We shall see. I think one day he may be a good coach. He has a lot of work to do and he will have to quickly build credibility. Especially when one thinks of some of the persons he may be surrounded with, I’m concerned .
Well said Brian
DL’s single goal against Ba hrain took us to the world cup. Let’s respect the man
yow lets not forget chris birchall goal at the stadium because some how people tend to forget
Let’s then count all the goals in the campaign. You missed my point about how decisive DL’s goal was because I do recall, the tie was even going into Bahrain
And who equalised to make it even?
Is he in line to be head coach? Is he the topic of conversation? Do you even know what “even” means? It means, dear ones, that it was not the winning goal. Thanks. Enjoy your Sunday.
One positive step seems to be that DJW didn’t get his way for once . Good to see the board push back and not take it in the ass again from him
Good luck to the big man . Hopefully he doesn’t have to deal with a staff forced upon him (namely Latapy) . A head coach needs trusted assistants and not undermining assistants .
Hopefully he gets to pick his own staff
And of course I agree that he should stay and steer the ship.
Now, let us move forward…. All the best Dennis, an uphill task, but one worth fighting for
Pls God work it out this time
Foolish to say Maturana shouldn’t be considered because of the language barrier when:
a) He’s been here before and
b) Translators are routinely used in such circumstances in all sports.
Agreed, Maturana never had a problem with translation when he was here.
Yea he did
What was the issue Cornell?
Shouldn’t they Earl Mango Pierre? You think we should only hire a coach on a per game/tournament basis? What if we come close? What if the standard of play is raised?
I honestly don’t believe we will make it to this world cup, it’s too much of an uphill climb. As a result, the new coach should not be given an ultimatum of making it to the world cup or else. His contract should be 2 years with appraisals built in and other long time goals. Although we would like to qualify I think it’s time to accept that we will not and plan for the future.
Tallest was my 1st choice from the time they decided to let Mr Hart go. Congratulations Mr Dennis Lawrence ⚽??⚽??⚽
He has doing work across in Europe at various levels of coaching. Hopefully he can help all levels of our coaching and scouting.
The FIFA development fund is a subtle and covert way of controlling TT football… where is the govt allocation for 2017 for our football?
Is that you Contro??
In the flesh, whos asking ?
Did the Grassroots programs and Elite Development Program spoken of last June commence in September as promised?
[flash=560,315]https://www.youtube.com/v/wvIVoWnkxFo[/flash]
Public pressure needed
Hey man you know that’s my nephew
TTFA needs a new president also, we change coach, now time to change this president who feels he is a law unto himself.
No disrespect to DL but this decision is a mockery to the sport.
lol…your comment is a direct disrespect to DL.
Well it’s not my intent but we need to invest in someone with a track record of success and that comes with experience. Give him a junior role to be mentored by the professionally qualified. Eventually his experience will benefit him and future team/s…
He was understudy to Roberto Martinez at Wigan when they won the FA Cup in 2013 and followed His boss to Everton where he was made first team development coach. That eh good enough for you?
No
If good enough for you that’s your standard of management. Not for business or country nor mine.
He HAS been given a junior role and has been mentored by one of the best managers in the world FOR THE PAST SIX YEARS!!!!! From Wigan, to Everton, to The Belgian national team. In HIGHLY Professional atmospheres I’m willing to wager. He also was in charge of Everton’s youth development while there…… woh more yuh want than that?? REALISTICALLY I mean
Randolph Chapman this clown wants blood that’s what he wants!!
You’re correct that’s exactly what it takes to achieve the level we need to be at. Obviously you guys feel the frustration too and want to see progress. So I wish DL all the best and hopefully he can get the support he needs not from us as fans because that’s a given; but from the powers that be. That support is not his appointment but allowing him the time and resources to draw “blood” from stone.
David Tardieu you also said the same for steve kerr when he was hired as coach of the warriors or ty lue of the cavs? Both with no prior head coaching experience and won rings….just saying
Interesting Nigel Tyrell P. Reid can you send me a screenshot of that? Lol
Never thought he would’ve took it Lasana Liburd, I was doubting it.
He was available. Hart said even while Canada coach, it was his dream to return home and succeed.
I’m sure Dennis had the same tug and it is more than just a job.
Is a jucking foke now
it funny
how money
change situation….
lawence not experienced enough
latapy not the amswer but would have been a better choice than dennis
Hmm if latas is a better choice then we in real shit
Latapy had two opportunities and failed MISERABLY in both; one with the seniors and looked TOTALLY LOST with the u17s last September. FYI
Which one of the other candidates coach a premiership team
Latapy? Steups
What is the problem with Finwick? Like they have something personal against him.
I ain’t mad at Dennis’s appointment. Js
He and DJW doh pull. Haven’t done for well over a decade.
What are the terms of his deal now?
Fraud
Are we sure this time???
Finally a coach time to work no time for small talk get your assistants and get to work
AGREED. Nico
Lasana Liburd if you revert to voice notes you will be ok
Voice notes?
Just teasing. Folks want to ease up on the typing following the thread