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Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team head coach Dennis Lawrence has appointed former 2006 World Cup teammate Stern John and W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier to his backroom staff, which was finally released this morning by the TTFA.
John and Fevrier join former Arsenal legend and England captain Sol Campbell as Lawrence’s three assistant coaches.
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
John, who is Trinidad and Tobago’s all-time record goal scorer, is in his second season as assistant coach at Central FC, which just won their third successive Pro League title.
Fevrier, a St Lucian by birth, is one of the Pro League’s most successful coaches and managed Lawrence during his own stint as national head coach, just over a decade ago.
Lawrence named Ma Pau Stars head coach Ross Russell as his goalkeeping coach. Russell played alongside Lawrence for Defence Force and, briefly, with the National Senior Team. Russell also serves as goalkeeping coach for the National Under-20 Team.
Israel Dowlat replaces Dr Terence Bawbah as team doctor although Dave Isaac keeps his place in the squad.
Babwah and Isaac were both embroiled in controversy after their perceived role in the dismissal of former head coach Stephen Hart and a letter from the Soca Warriors, which was delivered by national goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, called for both medical staff members to be removed.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)
In another eye-raising appointment, the local football body has kept South Africa fitness conditioning coach Riedoh Berdien who worked under Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet.
Football Fitness Ltd, a South African fitness company closely associated with Berdien, mocked Trinidad and Tobago football’s football—just three weeks ago—and spoke disparagingly of Hart.
“T&T will never play a WC again,” tweeted Football Fitness. “Maybe qualify for the hockey WC [hysterical laughter emoticon].”
Berdien claimed the controversial tweets were not his own although the account regularly retweeted from the fitness trainer and displayed a close knowledge of Trinidad and Tobago football matters.
And now the South African is set to return to Trinidad for more employment, just days after national forward Cornell Glen blamed the pre-Gold Cup play off training under Saintfiet for a string of injuries in the camp.
Glen, Carlos Edwards, Hughtun Hector, Carlyle Mitchell and Maurice Ford all carried injuries into last month’s Gold Cup play offs when the Warriors were eliminated after home defeats to Suriname and Haiti.
Ex-Trinidad and Tobago football team fitness trainer Riedoh Berdien claimed he did not send that tweet.
The rest of the technical staff comprises of: Saron Joseph (massage therapist), Stephen Bradley (evaluation science GPRS), Matthew Hawkes (match analyst), Michael Williams (equipment manager) and Shaun Fuentes (media officer).
Hawkes is believed to have worked with Lawrence at Everton while Bradley is a former Arsenal scout.
Trinidad and Tobago lost their two opening CONCACAF Hex matches against Costa Rica and Honduras and need a result at home to Panama and Mexico—on 24 and 28 March respectively—to revamp their chances of qualifying for the Russia 2018 World Cup.
Lawrence is believed to have a two and a half year deal with the TTFA, although neither the football body nor the new coach have revealed any details about their arrangement.
(Copyright Allan V Crane/TTFA)
(Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team staff)
Head Coach: Dennis Lawrence
Assistant Coaches: Sulzeer “Sol” Campbell, Stuart Charles-Fevrier, Stern John
Goalkeeper Coach: Ross Russell
Fitness Conditioning Coach: Riedoh Berdien
Team Doctor: Israel Dowlat
Paramedic: Dave Isaac
Massage Therapist: Saron Joseph
Evaluation Science GPRS: Stephen Bradley
Match Analyst: Matthew Hawkes
Media Officer: Shaun Fuentes
Equipment Manager: Michael Williams
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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.
BOOM.
..In modern football EVERYBODY plays the same style. The differences between teams are merely tactical..
If you read DAS Reboot about how Germany reinvented itself football wise, if you examine the plans the Belgium put in place and the resurgence of a confident Brazil at the core and the beginning of those conversations are about culture and the style of football they will play. To hear this from the likes of Warren Archibald and Russell Latapy should warrant some consideration.
BOOM.
Winning style
That’s end result not process
This is the only style that we need to follow and it is many moons now that I have been saying that eh. steeuuppss. Them really good yes.
This is what is needed in T&T, ever heard of Jinga style
Joga Bonita from Pele and so many Brazilian greats having studied capoeira and crediting this mixture of dance, marital arts and music brought by Africans from present day Angola.
I remember back in the days of intercol when the sound of the iron and drums had player dribbling like literally feeling d beat on there feel
There seems to be a lot of talk from coaches recently about playing our style or our way. I agree that Germany, France, Italy, and Brazil play a style to match their culture and all national football planning starts with your culture. However, I am not sure exactly what our culture is and the style that will result. Thoughts?
I must look back to see if England allowed Gary Neville to continue his job as Valencia coach while assistant. I think they did.
In recent times, the role of assistant coach has not been a salaried job but one they got match fees for.
If that is the case then no problem with him keeping his job at w connection
The funny thing is that England only had two games during the time Neville was coaching Valencia. The games were on March 26th and 29th, 2016. Neville got fired from Valencia on March 30th.
But after thinking about it do we really want to be following england
Just read and article in the Newsday where the W connection coach said he will not be leaving his position at the club has he is only and assistant coach and the national team comes together a week before a game.
Question, if Dennis turn down the head coach job, who would you give it to and why?
am can someone please explain to me , in what way does stewupss qualify to be a assistant coach and how in Gods Good love and mercy did he get to be assistant, i doubt Dennis is so clueless? like really
It’s Stern hound
Lol. I was trying to understand myself Kurtwyn!
The young lady was murdered by a demon in our sweet Tobago country and Coach Dennis said that he hopes that her family gets over what happened to her eh Steeuuppsss . Them really good yes.
What are the targets/goals??
We’ll see how this combination works … Hope it’s not a case of “Two Bo Rats” …
Lasana Liburd I think I missed something was this video meant to help me understand
I really like the quality of experience put together,but the chain of commands would be tested and sadly if this house is built of straws..guess what will happen if a defeat or 2 blows our way.
Stern is a finishing specialist … Camphell is a defensive specialist … not a bad option.
What is a finishing specialist? Do coaches with requisite licenses not know anything about finishing? Just playing devil’s advocate here..
All time leading TT striker very experienced in the art of finishing sharing his experiences … instincts …. techniques ….. lil different from just having a man who could run a drill from youtube. You don’t have the same question for Camphell? Just playing devils advocate here ….. lol
What in the world is a finishing specialist
Having done it and teaching it are two entirely different things. Nonetheless I hope he’s successful at it.
A coach with certificates isnt running drills from youtube, and this staff could use some more experience, in my humble opinion..
Thank you Brent
Lol of course teaching and coaching is different but why is everyone so adamant that someone whose done it for so long won’t be able to teach it?? No one questions Camphell …. my statement was simply a personal term I used to describe the guy’s proficiency ….. which regardless of whether we like him or not …is pretty decent. At this point we’re looking for answers that work …. finishing and defense has been a problem …. I don’t see a problem with the thought process behind it ……
I agree, we have to get more goals and at times we’re scampering at the back to prevent them.
I’m supporting this DL led coaching team, looking forward to some new display and execution on the field of play. Stern is still the most goal scorer for TTO, he probably missed the most too (because he probably had most opportunities), however he chose to strengthen his abilities and now lead the call under DL. Give your best guys, waiting on the Team Selection.
We did question Sol Campbell as he too is inexperience as a coach. I’m not here to question Dennis but my preference would have been to have someone experienced on the international level on his staff. He’s got none.
‘You’ did …. and I can agree with the staff not being as experienced as preferred …. so as an alternative perspective these guys being former specialists in their areas could be helpful …it’s a possible upside …..
We questioned Campbell for sure. We also still feel staff is not hugely experienced..
Hoping it works out..
All we can do is hope. I’m not sure Stern fan for sure. He hasn’t exemplified the most discipline as a player so I hope he has matured as a coach.
Brent – Don’t understand how on earth Stern made the cut. We jokey yes. Rookie coach surrounded by amateur assistants. I can only predict one outcome – continued downward trend.
At this point we are hoping Carlos Lee.
That’s all we can do pally. We keep making the same mistakes and expecting different results. Madness!
The source of our pain remains DJW ….. unapologetically …. he wanted Hart out from day 1 so he could stamp his brand on things. Jack Warner-esque. He’s an opportunist and will get his but at his country’s expense …..
Stern can maybe, maybe teach a striker who has his qualities to do what he used to do.
There are many different types of strikers. I did not see any impact on the strikers at Central
Well they did win the league …sooo
What does that have to do with the quality of the strikers. They had by far the mos talent available, and barely won over connection
Lol a team wins the league and you dont think that has anything to do with the quality of their strike force? Hmmm interesting …..
How many games did you see Central Play?
Did you see the strikers improve running off the ball?
Did you see the strikers diagonal runs improve?
Did you see the strikers combinations get better?
Did you see the strikers get better at shooting, laying off, heading?
We in Trinidad have the most ‘licensed’ coaches in all the sports. I can speak for athletics where we have hundreds of ‘licensed’ coaches. Do they all coach?
NO.
But every year they continue to go on paid coaching seminars and workshops to get more licenses. It’s a mimic society. ..where we like to flash credentials and not doing one arse with it.
Eat ah food mentality friend thing again what credentials Stern hound has he will teach them how to get in 51 degree’s Zen etc what a joke
Was the doctor giving bad medical advice ?
Your answer is in this story: http://wired868.com/2016/11/22/jan-michael-i-was-fit-to-face-honduras-tt-goalie-hits-out-at-babwah-isaacs-and-the-guardian/
We either believe the Dr or believe a player.
It comes down to who do we trust.
Players are always fit to play…………………….
Players always think they fit to play !!
Mamaguy and mimic…. we don’t intend to change. ..how come the controversial ‘doctor’ was replaced?
So DJW gets his wish and has his choice foisted … I mean, selected … to be part of the coaching team after all. Does this mean that Fevrier is going to quit his post as W Connection coach to take up.this appointment? Or will he remain doubly in the employ of his life master King David, who as yet has not divested himself of his interests in W Connection as he is supposed to.have done months ago?
Does this also mean that Stern John will similarly quit his roles at Central FC as well? Potential conflicts of interest in abundance …
Nevertheless, I wish Dennis all the best in transforming this motley crew back into the feared CONCACAF that it was under the heights of Hart!
Trinidad and Tobago football is real ???.
That dude who only shaking ppl hands is a blight, get rid of him ,,, swear I don’t even kno his name ?
It will be interesting to see what is the philosophy of play will be, I see opposing types in this line-up.
This appears to be a line-up to appease everyone, in other words, politically inclined.
Can I get an Amen
Agreed, team selection will also be telling. Lets see if Kenwyne and Jan return.
Well you better don’t take to long to reload eh, because you is full of plenty wisdom and we will be waiting very patiently lol
Mango …you really good yes…yuh know how to fool people .you is the real Mr Bacchanal….
hahahahaha
Brent, I believe I will in 2 days. I am in KC as we speak and this entire charade of ideas, choices, sacks, approvals, rejections, interviews, and you can add to list of descriptions, is mesmerizing, I need to recoil, before I uncoil, reload before I unload. Take care.
I would love to make a comment here, but this situation is either too simple to explain or too out of reach even for the wise and I feel unequipped for either.
Make your comment coach…
Stuart Charles-Fevrier . What is he doing there. Terry fenwick is a better option. Was that call jW
Politics…
Politics…
berdien?
Who will they blame now
Any leader is as good as the people around them. Lawrence’s thought process seems to help in that direction. Good start.
Ah wait and see approach… give me Hart any day of the week with his staff..
My bad, the dictator didn’t want to give him a full staff lol
Lasana Liburd, who is the team manager?
The TTFA names the manager. I’m guessing Richard Piper.
K. Saw media officer was named.
True
LOL
At least he change the doctor
I want to know if these fellas leave they clubs if no is the answer then we not serious about anything
Good question
They won’t leave their clubs, like you forgetting the new thing is eating ah food anywhere they can eh Shawn Babooram. Them really good yes.
Well the gk coach have three jobs right now
Yeah and for sure he won’t be getting paid any time soon while coaching the Soca Worries eh, because all of the other local Coaches still haven’t been paid eh. Them really good yes.
I wonder which one is actually paying that a monthly salary and on time at the end of each one
Hmmmmm.
Shawn very good and pertinent question
Still waiting on an answer from someone I guess it is a guessing game.
Depending on the finances of the TTFA, there might be good reason for them to keep their day jobs.
hahahahahahaha That head line should read “My dictator president appoints the most winning Coach in the professional league Prof Stuart Charles Fevrier , his head Coach of his team W- Connection professional team, along with Stern John and Ross Russel , so now W- Connection and Central F. C. will be running things, oh well I will also be waiting every patiently to see who will be the players from the both teams that will be representing our Soca Worries eh…..Congratulations . Them really good yes.
Ent! Lolol…I dunno nah
When u look at it, some way or the other “presi” wants to have a part in it. “Is like he told Lawrence, “I’ll change the contract to suit you, but u have to give me something, I want Stuart on the list of assistants”. His way of saying he must has an input.
What is stern credentials as a Coach besides being an asst at central fc ?
I’m not sure what badges he has. But he has more experience than Sol eh. Lol
Yuh know how long I told Mr. Live Wire to do a story on the Coaches in our sweet country that coaches in the professional league and also the nationals teams with respect to what type of badges that they have eh. hahahahahaha Them really good yes.