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Dwight Yorke, Trinidad and Tobago’s most celebrated footballer of all time, is the new head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team.
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFA) made the announcement in a press release today.
(via Manchester United)
No details were given with regards to the length of Yorke’s contract, remuneration or his backroom staff yet—although he is expected to retain current interim coach Derek King as assistant, alongside his close friend and former Soca Warriors head coach Russell Latapy.
Yorke, who turns 53 on Sunday, has exactly seven months experience as a head coach. He led Australia A League club Macarthur FC between July 2022 and January 2023 before the two parties fell out spectacularly.
At present, Macarthur owes Yorke US$290,000 for sacking him.
During his stint in Australia, Yorke led the club to their first trophy as they won the 2022 Australia Cup final.
Despite his relative inexperience as a head coach, Wired868 understands Yorke will be paid almost double the salaries of former coaches Stephen Hart and Dennis Lawrence and three times the remuneration of prior head coach Angus Eve.
Yorke’s requested pay package, according to a source, would have been a record for the local football body, although the TTFA successfully negotiated that figure downwards towards what Jamaica is believed to pay its head coach and former England international manager Steve McClaren.
McClaren, according to one insider, earns between US$30,000 and US$35,000 from the Jamaica Football Federation.
TTFA president Kieron Edwards and his executive were in discussions with Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to have Yorke’s pay package sponsored by the Cabinet. Although, again, there are no details at the time of his unveiling, talks between the TTFA and the Government are believed to have gone well.
Photo: TTFA Media
Yorke, who captained the Soca Warriors at the Germany 2006 World Cup and conquered Europe as a Manchester United striker said he was “proud and privileged” to coach the Trinidad and Tobago team.
“The opportunity to work with this talented, close-knit group of players is something I look forward to,” Yorke told the TTFA Media. “Having helped Trinidad and Tobago to the semi-finals of the Concacaf Gold Cup in 2000, captained the side at the 2006 World Cup and been assistant manager, my love and commitment to my national team is well documented.
“I saw first-hand as a player how working together to achieve our targets brought joy and united our country. I see that same ambition and desire at all levels of the current set-up.”
Yorke credited the progress made by the Soca Warriors under Eve and King—both men who played alongside the iconic player for Trinidad and Tobago.
Photo: AFP Photo/ Adrian Dennis
“I look forward to building on the work of someone who I played alongside for a number of years from youth level right up to senior team,” said Yorke, “a good friend and former team-mate, Angus Eve, and the current interim head coach, Derek King.
“As a player I experienced some incredible moments in a Trinidad and Tobago shirt. With this squad I hope they can continue as head coach.”
The TTFA described hiring Yorke as “a new chapter for T&T football” and suggested that the Tobago-born star would “elevate [our] football to new heights” with his “tactical insight, passion, and dedication”.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
“With World Cup qualification in our sights, we’re thrilled to welcome Dwight Yorke as the new head coach of our Men’s National Team,” said Edwards. “Dwight’s experience, leadership, and commitment to the red, white, and black are exactly what we need to inspire our players and our nation.
“[…] Dwight’s journey from a standout player to a seasoned leader in football brings a unique vision that aligns with our ambitions. We are confident he will guide us forward with purpose and pride as we work to make Trinidad and Tobago’s presence felt on the world stage once again.”
Yorke is due to start work as head coach immediately.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868
Edwards said the TTFA’s new hire has plans to “energize the team’s training and development in preparation for the rigors of international competition” and will “bring new energy and dedication to the national team”.
The Soca Warriors’ next competitive international match is a World Cup qualifier against Saint Kitts and Nevis in Trinidad and Tobago on 6 June 2025.
However, Yorke has two international match windows before then between 11 and 19 November 2024 and 17 and 25 March 2025 to impose his ideas on his current players.
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Pleasant rising my brother Lasana, it is not ah bad decision, but just pass the buck, plus latest, so I say in it cost the government around $2 million for the coaching staff for one year, plus discipline, fitness, and dedication, planning, goid systems to play
No nonsense coach, just like his old coach
Bernie, St Clair, let’s go hands in the air