Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup coaches Leo Beenhakker and Wim Rijsbergen have endorsed Dennis Lawrence, as the 42-year-old former international defender prepares to lead the Soca Warriors into the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) announced Lawrence as the new head coach for the Men’s National Senior Team on Saturday morning. And Beenhakker and Rijsbergen, who were Lawrence’s former coaches a decade ago, believe the local football body made the right choice.
Lawrence scored the only goal as T&T edged Bahrain 1-0 that night to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.
(Copyright Daily Post)
“Dennis [Lawrence] and I had a conversation by phone about two weeks ago and I am very happy that he accepted the job,” Beenhakker told the TTFA Media. “He has the authority, the personality and even more than that, the knowledge of the game to do a successful job and he deserves the support of the board, the media and the fans…
“I am totally convinced that, with the support and confidence of everybody, he is the right man on the right place to realise a new successful chapter in history as national coach of T&T.”
Rijsbergen was also full of praise for “Tallest”, whose headed goal in Manama led the Warriors to a 1-0 win over Bahrain in a 2006 FIFA playoff contest that sealed Trinidad and Tobago’s historic place at the Germany World Cup.
“I thought that Dennis would be the best man for the job,” said Rijsbergen, who represented Holland at the 1974 and 1978 World Cups. “I have been following him the last couple of years working with Roberto Martinez. [And] I have been following Trinidad and Tobago since I left and I still feel positive about the time we had with a great bunch of players and staff to reach the World Cup 2006.
“I hope that Dennis and everybody involved will work together to turn around the results.”
(Copyright Liverpool Echo)
Trinidad and Tobago face Panama and Mexico next in 2018 World Cup qualifying contests on 24 and 28 March respectively at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
Lawrence is expected in Trinidad on Wednesday, after which he will be unveiled to the media and go about finalising his backroom staff.
He has a UEFA Pro License coach badge and was a member of Robert Martinez’s coaching staff at Wigan Athletic and Everton FC before his last job as a scout for the Belgium National Senior Team. And he was Martinez’s assistant when Wigan beat Manchester City to the FA Cup in 2013.
As a player, Lawrence made 87 full international caps for Trinidad and Tobago with four goals and one red card. He represented Caledonia AIA, Defence Force and San Juan Jabloteh in the local Pro League and Wrexham, Swansea City and Crewe Alexandra in the English lower leagues.
Looking on is Brent Sancho.
(Copyright AFP 2016/Sven Nackstrand)
“[…] We saw an array of talent across the board and not with just 20 players. I’ve said it before Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team’s bid for an unprecedented place in the Copa America tournament stalled this Read more
Angus Eve, coach of the Trinidad and Tobago men’s football team, accepts that his squad will be the underdogs against Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve hopes an organised defence will give his team the Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve announced his 23-man squad to face Canada in next Read more
Former Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach and 2006 World Cup defender Dennis Lawrence has joined the Read more
The great Sir Alex said that David Moyes was the best man to take over… and we all know how that went…. but I really want DL and other local coaches to gain some experience with the National youth but not at the expense of this senior team future??
Lawrence is a good fit. Lacks international coaching experience but has the qualifications to do a decent job. Also, he will have good assistant coaches and reliable resources around the world to contact when/if needed.
NO COMMENTS ??? WHE ALL D NAYSAYERS GONE? O I FORGET MASSA SPEAK,?????
give him the time he needs dont expect miracles….
Not sure what that equals – they also recommended Hart!
Good move… Just hope they let him do his job and pick the team that he knows will do the job an give nothing but 100%….
100% for DL. Clearly no one here locally is capable…..at least DL has some experience outside of the local environment to draw from even though it is not international.
Well said…. Besides local knowledge he has some Foreign experience as well
Don’t say no one locally is capable, we don’t know what Terry Fenwick is capable of. But in any case Dennis Laurence should be a better coach, having been in the World Cup and better coaching experience! Good luck to him, Go WARRIORS!!!
If we had only the local coaches to choose from I would put Fenwick up there as a possibility. But his experience and certain lack of success in the lower tier leagues in England is not very complimentary. His time here has seen success but I can’t see that translating to international success if ones best performance is in our league.
I indorse this..
Welcome to the arena, Dennis.
I can only wish him best of luck. Hope he could manage the dresssing room especially those players with inflated egos
Y’all know who ah talkin bout.
Most coaches support there past players but are they right ?
Okay. So can we proceed now that Massa has given his approval?
So many house slaves, oh so very many!
Lasana Liburd i would have like to hear his (leo ) views on Hart tenure,…..but plz remember i also endorse lawrence eh??
I doubt he would have anything negative to say about Hart. After all, Hart was highly recommended by Beenhakker for the T&T Head Coach position. And they worked together for a few matches in 2013.
Nigel doh study Trini Don once the topic is Hart or Kenwyne. Lol.