Wired868 Wired868 for smart sport news and opinion
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve has been sacked by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).
The decision was relayed to Eve this morning in a meeting chaired by TTFA president and technical committee chairman Kieron Edwards.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
A TTFA release, which was unsigned, did not explicitly provide a reason for Eve’s departure. However, it did state that its focus is qualifying for the Fifa 2026 World Cup, which requires “a total buy-in from corporate entities, government bodies and the general public”.
Eve has been a polarizing figure ever since the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, when the Soca Warriors lost 4-1 to Jamaica and 6-0 to the United States. Since then, the coach took Trinidad and Tobago to the Concacaf Nations League A quarterfinal round and within 90 minutes of an unprecedented Copa America place.
Eve might have felt he turned a corner. However, some of his critics remained unconvinced.
The Edwards-led TTFA thanked Eve for his “service and contributions” and offered him best wishes for his “future endeavors”.
(via TTFA Media)
“The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Executive has announced that it is parting ways with Senior Men’s National Team head coach Angus Eve,” stated the TTFA release. “We sincerely thank coach Eve for his dedication, hard work and contributions to our football program. His commitment and passion for the game have been greatly appreciated.
“Moving forward, the TTFA will commence the search for a new head coach who can lead our national team to greater heights. Our focus is firmly set on the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.”
It was a far cry from the vote of confidence that Edwards offered Eve in April, just weeks after he was elected.
“I have had a good relationship with coach Angus Eve for years,” Edwards told Wired868, back in April. “We had a great discussion and hopefully people will see the fruits of that discussion the next time the national team takes the field.
The Soca Warriors won 3-2.
Photo: TTFA Media
“We are on the same lines. We will work well together and I am only looking for good things from the Men’s Senior Team.
“All support will be given to the coach and the boys to ensure we qualify for the 2026 World Cup and stay within Group A in the (Concacaf) Nations League.”
Since Edwards’ reassuring words, Eve led his team to a 2-2 home draw against Grenada and a 7-1 win on the road against The Bahamas in the 2026 World Cup qualifying series—along with two friendly victories against Guyana.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
The Grenada draw notwithstanding, Trinidad and Tobago are second in Group B behind Costa Rica, as expected, with the top two nations due to advance to the next round.
But the TTFA executive decided that Eve is not the person to continue that mission.
Edwards heads the executive team which includes first vice-president Colin Murray, second vice-president Osmond Downer, third vice-president Jameson Rigues, and ordinary members Alicia Austin, Inspector Andrew Boodhoo, Allan Logan, Ryan Nunes, and Shelton Williams.
Photo: TTFA
“We recognize the importance of having a clear pathway for qualification, which requires the full support of the government, private sector and citizens,” stated the release. “The TTFA is dedicated to fostering a strong and vibrant football culture in Trinidad and Tobago. We are committed to enhancing our football infrastructure, developing youth programs, and ensuring competitive performance at all levels.
“Achieving our goals will require a total buy-in from corporate entities, government bodies and the general public. We reaffirm our commitment to the overall development of football in our nation and will continue to work diligently towards creating opportunities and providing the necessary resources for our players, coaches, and supporters.”
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Trinidad and Tobago’s next international engagement is on Friday 6 September away to Honduras in the Concacaf Nations League. The Soca Warriors then face French Guiana in Trinidad on Tuesday 10 September.
There will be a new coach at the helm now and, presumably, Edwards’ appointee will have close to a month to prepare. Wired868 understands that assistant coach Derek King could be asked to stay on as an interim appointment.
Eve has another year on his contract—thanks to a controversial extension by the Robert Hadad-led TTFA normalisation committee—and the TTFA will be expected to pay him off. His competitive record of 23 games with 11 wins, five draws and seven defeats with 45 goals scored and 36 conceded is not exactly shabby.
(Copyright Jova Velazquez/ Straffon Images/ Concacaf)
And the 52-year-old Eve, Trinidad and Tobago’s most capped player, can also point to his achievements in winning promotion to the Concacaf Nations League A and steering the Warriors into the knockout rounds once there.
There were also back to back qualifications for the Concacaf Gold Cup while Trinidad and Tobago eased into the top 100 nations in the Fifa rankings.
It was not the glory that Trinidad and Tobago football fans hoped for, but it was certainly an improvement on the results under his predecessors, Terry Fenwick and Dennis Lawrence.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Ultimately, it was not enough for him to keep his job though.
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team caretaker coach Derek King closed his first match window at the helm without Read more
French Guiana are not the only obstacles to success for the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team tonight, as Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team caretaker head coach Derek King made an unceremonious start to his dream job Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team caretaker coach Derek King declared confidence in his first selection as the Soca Read more
“[…] Posh was more than just a supporter; he was a symbol of the passion and pride that unites us Read more
Outgoing Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve had another 17 months left on his contract 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.
Eve never should have gotten the job, and was the worst coach ever. Worst than Fenwick and Dennis Lawrence.
Eve wanted to serve the country, right? He cared so much about this country that he went out of his way to sabotage Fenwick’s tenure. How could a mind like that do the best for the country when he gets s chance???
Eve insisted on picking players that were not fit…. let me repeat this crucial point about sport. EVE PICKED PLAYERS THAT WERE NOT FIT!!!!!! And he did it over, and over again. He didn’t care one ass about how the team performed, he couldn’t… because he repeated the stupidity.
His football, and general intelligence was not at the standard required. You tell me, what kinda brain prepared the national team for that game against Grenada?????
Eve had some kinda grudge or something against the best team, with the best midfield in the local premier league… in fact he had a bias against the best playing local midfielders , preferring a bunch of unfit, under skilled, un intelligent, unheard-of players.
It was ALWAYS a painful experience to watch the national team play, and I am elated that Eve is gone.. hopefully we would see more of Rochford, Lee, Goddard, and Muckette…
The decision did come as a surprise with competition in Nations League a month away . I agree with Moses that Dwight is a good replacement to hit the ground running. He took us to the World Cup , he deserves a good shot at taking us again as a coach . I believe it is his destiny with good experienced technical support.
Jamaica chose a Foreign Coach over Dwight. Please don’t disappoint Trinidad and Tobago . On emancipation day I can only say EMANCIPATE YOURSELF FROM MENTAL SLAVERY. You owe it to a son of the soil who has served his country and given more than a 100% since he was 17 years old at the senior national level. His appointment will motivate and inspire the country. Show that you have the strength of conviction and confidence in your own. If you don’t HISTORY WILL NOT ABSOLVE YOU.
Ttfa wants to turn over a new page and the chairman/ leader still have these out dated people that has his ear around him so as usual we take a step forward and 10 back. I honestly think that we will never be where we were in the Caribbean football stage with people like these and no proper funding we should just stay playing grass root football
This is shades of John Williams administration all over again. An everybody knows how that turned out.
Thus is all about money and position..
National growth and development be damned.
And as usual no thought is given to the players’ mental and emotional psyche and how this action will impact them less than five weeks away from a match.
They Don’t count. They are just Cogs in somebody’s wheel of enrichment.
Three months in and I’m already tired and fed up of the newly minted TTFA.
Fool me once……
You don’t get to do it twice
Thank you Angus Eve for your commitment to Trinidad and Tobago football, you did what you could have in the circumstances as they’re but now it’s time for a new chapter and I think Dwight Yorke is the best person to take our football to the next level.
TTFA, the ball is in your court, Dwight Yorke is well respected by our footballers, our footballing community and the general public, it’s time to give him the chance, he’s ready, I know he will do wonders with these young talented players we have.
Mr Edwards made a good decision at a wrong time. In September we play.
How much time do we have for preparing for this?
I have known Mr Eve since he coached NAPS and he really inspired the players over his time. I don’t know if he will return to NAPS or another club.
The team is not the problem . It is the strategy to win. Let us see what the new coach brings. Thanks to Mr Lasana for bringing us this viral news. and thanks to Mr Eve who braved all kinds of weather to have us where we stand today.
People always say bad things about Angus Eve’ and says he’s a horrible coach. We can’t forget that we defeated USA last year. Canada is probably the best team in CONCACAF so no harm in losing to them. TTFA has made absolutely no sense in firing Angus Eve.
Is with great surprise that i got this untimely news of Coach Eve removal he has done well but he always had his detractors buy the records say what he has accomplished in his time as coach their are those who celebrated the bad result against Grenada instead of being disappointed as i and most of TNT was i feel that might have fuelled the calls to remove him its a vicious business INTERNATIONAL Coaching when players mess up failing to perform and the coach has to pay
While I am not a fan of Angus Eve for several reasons, he was able to get decent results compared to Fenwick, Lawrence, etc. The team style of play was difficult to watch, his team selection left a lot to be desired, his interviews confusing to people with common sense and those that like logic, and his constant excuses before the game explaining why the team may not win just in case the result turned out to be not favorable should only lead to him to getting fired. This should have been done a long time ago, but I guess better late than never.
However, firing him is just the first step. Hiring his replacement will require setting up a proper evaluation criteria, involving knowledgeable football stakeholders, and having access to funds to pay the new coach. My guess Eve’s contract was bought out so the normalization committee extending his contract just before the entrance of the new administration did us a great disservice.
Hopefully this change is not too late and the new coaching staff can hit the ground running so we can have a good shot at qualifying for the next World Cup. As it stands, with or without Eve we are not in a position to mount a serious challenge for one the qualifying spots.
Well done Coach Angus, you braved the challenge relentless and I do hope that Derek King will get the support he needs to continue this journey and that the time to acquire a coach is not lengthy as time and adjustments is of relevance. TTFA strategic decision needs to bare fruit as any experiment would compound an unpredictable future disaster.
Warriors we need the 2026 World Cup appearance to inspire the future athletes across Trinidad and Tobago to continue the 2006 legacy.