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The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-17 football team may soon have a little magic working for them. Russell “Little Magician” Latapy, Wired868 has been reliably informed, will arrive in the country in the coming days to take up the post of head coach of the junior team.
Latapy’s local manager Wayne Mandeville confirmed to Wired868 that the Little Magician was interviewed by the TTFA for the Under-17 coaching job but declined further comment until there’s a signature on the dotted line.
(Courtesy BBC)
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) Technical Director Muhammad Isa also confirmed that the Association has indeed selected a candidate but he preferred not to make any announcement at this stage.
“Yes (someone has been appointed) but we just have to make sure that the technical committee approves of it,” Isa told Wired868. “But no, I don’t want to disclose any names at all.”
For the last two months, the National Under-17 side—which is due to take on their counterparts from three Caribbean countries in a Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifying tournament starting next month—has been largely rudderless.
Since Labour Day on June 19, they have been without an official head coach and were handled by a caretaker quartet comprising Duane Richardson, Kyle Small, Philbert Charles and Nigel Neverson, only one of whom—goalkeeper coach Neverson—has any international experience.
However, according to an anonymous source close to the TTFA, the team is about to get a lot more oomph in its coaching unit as former national youth keeper Neverson will soon be joined by Latapy as coach and former national player Reynold Carrington as assistant coach.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Together, the duo of Latapy and Carrington count over 120 senior international caps and both have coached at national level previously. Between 2009 and 2011, Latapy had stints as assistant coach and head coach of the Senior Men’s team and, most recently, he has served as assistant coach with Portugal’s Boavista and Scotland’s Inverness.
Carrington, a former W Connection standout, was once in charge of the Men’s Under-15 team and, for three years before a shock departure last January, worked with his hometown club Point Fortin Civic.
The man tipped for the assistant coaching role revealed that he had an interview on Tuesday he is yet to receive any correspondence from the TTFA.
“I’ve been through the interviewing process and everything like that but I cannot confirm whether or not I got that (assistant coach) position,” Carrington told Wired868. “I haven’t received any message concerning that yet.”
The team currently trains three times a week at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva under the guidance of its caretaker crew. But the source said that the revolving door is already in motion.
(Courtesy MexSport/CONCACAF)
“The coaches who were interim at the point in time will be holding on until the (CFU) leg of this tournament,” he claimed. “After the (CFU) leg of this tournament, they will be dismissed.“
In fact, contends the source, Charles “has already been dismissed.”
Wired868 asked Isa if there are any plans in place to retain the services of the current caretaker staff after the appointment of the new coach. The Technical Director indicated that the role of the interim coaching members will be settled today (Friday) at a technical committee meeting.
“There is a proposal to retain the staff,” Isa said, “but I cannot say if all three (interim coaches) will be kept on. All that is up for discussion.”
Whoever may comprise his background staff, Latapy will be hoping for more success than he had in his last Caribbean Cup when his senior “Soca Warriors” team crashed out before the semi-final stage of the 2010 tournament. The early exit meant that T&T missed out on the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, a failure which arguably cost Latapy his coaching job.
(Courtesy Sinead Peters/Wired868)
The Under-17s kick off their campaign against Haiti at the Ato Boldon Stadium on September 16. And the Haitians apart, Bermuda and Jamaica will be the ones trying to make life as difficult as possible for the once mesmerising Magician and his teenage charges.
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Maurice wake up
Heading in the right direction should he be given the chance to move forward with crop of youngsters in four to five years we will be on top of regional football might be even in the top three in C.O.N.C.A.C.A.L.F BUT IT TAKES TIME!!! I don’t want a quick fix let him take his time get some “good” scouts to look here for the talent and he will take us places, good luck lata’s i will be watching.
What’s wrong with Latas as a coach ? The man had one head coach stint for TnT (albeit wrong timing and acceptance of post), and we don’t believe the man can succeed ?
Not sure if is little or big magician but we going to need a Master Technician(s) to ready our boys for:
September 16 Haiti
September 18 Bermuda
September 20 Jamaica
If the schedule is unchanged, less than a month to ready the boys with philosophy/approach. We, the adults have again disappointed our children by not providing proper preparations.
Has Latapy been paid yet for his time with the senior team?
The answer is in the thread so.ewhere
Savitri Maharaj Lol yeah, I commented first and then read through after :'(
I know eh…these articles tend to do that to you
This situation is like Marodona being the 2nd greatest player ever from Argentinà, but it still dont make him a world class coach….on another note latapy cant even walk in stephen hart shoes wen come to coaching
..As I said previously, good luck to Latapy if he is in fact appointed ad U17 coach. He will need some. But the MANNER in which his (suspected) and other appointments are proceeding is distasteful. Unethical even. And THAT is my issue. Nothing personal..
Something had to be wrong with people mind Keith….they too damn ….cant use the word…haha
What is latapy claim to fame as a coach ?????? Nada, nil, zilch, nothing
Well the word on the street is that the Magician is being put in place so when Coach Hart looses against Guatemala and then to my second sweetest country and our sweet country doesn’t qualify for the World Cup 2018 eh, Them really good yes,
Sometimes the word on the street is real BS….but I tell you Mango if that happens I done talk you will never hear another comment from me….
So Keith Look Loy chatting BS then eh. hahahaha
Never said that…Mr Bacchanal…..Sometimes is the magic word and then I said if that really happens ….is curtains on my mouth ….hahaha you real like bacchanal…..I have much respect for Keith and what he says ….sometimes again….Mr Bacchanal….
And who say we going to lose to Guatemala Uncle Earl Mango Pierre?
Well the way things going since my dictator president took office eh, if he doesn’t do things the right and honest way eh, we won’t be going back to any World Cup for a very long time eh. Them really good yes.
Interesting, very interesting.
U 17
Hmmm
Let women’s team train under him too
Where is Coach Elie? This team has been “rudderless for the past two months” only because of the ‘disappearance’ of Mr. Ken Elie.
I’d really like to know who was of the opinion that it was sensible to remove a head coach just a few months before a Tournament starts to replace him with someone else. This country sweet too bad. It’s all about politricks and gimmicks yes. Trinis are more concerned with how things look than with things actually working well. Sure “little magician” is a good look but Mr. Elie definitely had things working well.
My only hope is that this team which (true only for some players) have been training for two years now won’t have to suffer because big people refuse to let good sense prevail.
Doh come back man.
Latapy as a player excellent !!!! Latapy as a coach yuck ???
Guess all we have is time and hope…
What hope ???? Steups
T.t need him
Is this a demotion?
Nope it is a job with the hope of getting paid….maybe he is not working right now….maybe….
“Hope” Hassan..lets all hope
Or just maybe Latas know the real ploy. Take the under 17 because we getting rid ah Hart to make room fuh yuh boi.
Allow me to clear up any and all miss-information; miss- communication, miss- understanding; miss- conception in the public domain; Mr. Latapy will not be replacing Mr. Heart if he assume the position under speculation ( discussion); and or any position within his scope of offering; but thing about it in the context of adding value from an overall perspective which will elevate the critical thinking of coaches; along with formalized strategy application and the quality of football inclusive of (human capital development).
Wayne, In case you hadn’t noticed, we talk English on this site. We’re trying to communicate, not to obfuscate. Just saying.
..Management theory jargon. We know how TTFA operates. First chance Hart gone..
..They set up Azad Khan. They set up Ken Elie. Standard modus operandi..
Where is Coach Elie?
Dont accept
One of the same
No it is is the selection policies
Well if you were a player you would have something to bring to the table if you went on to study coaching but that is not our problem in this country. …it’s succession planning
Those guys jus looking to survive not because you played foitball make you a coach do a back ground check on all the players who played outside an has returned ?
Well here’s to starting from the ground up. wish him luck. Hope those young stars make it to the senior team as a unit.that will be my barometer for success
Look at the tt pro league coaches except at w connection they constantly failing however they underminding the better coaches to ensure they have a job
Ok however Heart is doing a great job the biggest problems here are the undermind failures
I agree Hart is doing a great job. He has gotten the guys to believe on themselves, he is certainly on track to qualifying our team for Russia…..
Latas not coming here to stick with any U17 Team, not unless he was promised something bigger… Additionally, the TTFA owes him a sizeable amount of money…..
Watch out over what ?
Hart better watch out….. Just saying
If this happens will be great , but he needs to be paid, that part payment may have been quite a while.
The recicle bin open again
From senior to junior ?
Was the money owed to him ever paid or settled? Latas would be a positive addition to the staff, and once he is given the freedom to do his thing, our U17s will be more competitive in Concacaf……..
No. He got a small payment so far and I think the TTFA has promised to pay.
hmmmm…. hope he is not getting himself in more “debt” by holding on to promises….
Lasana Liburd Can’t believe Latas reach the stage where he’s grovelling for his money and prepared to accept anything. SMH!!
I have no idea what the deal is Debbie. But the T&TFA does owe him money, the U17 Team needs a coach and he has a lot to offer.
So it could potentially be a good deal for everyone.
Great players don’t always make great coaches and i am a Latas lover. Still have his jersey with paint on it from Germany but he wasn’t very successful at his first attempt with the senior team. What is going to be different this time?
I can only hope that Latas has learnt from that experience. But you’re right that he is still some distance from being a great coach.
The best we have had since Beenhakker is Stephen Hart. No question about that.
Yes Lasana….a small amount on the outstanding balance was made
Thanks Wayne.
Lasana…your last comment seem to be on point with some strategic thinking…..and overarching
You mean overreaching? Lol. Maybe. Maybe.
over the top with influence lol …:)
lol
..Stephen Hart beware..
Well I first heard it was the senior team eh
Shhh….Keith…..somebody will hear you…..you really good yes….somebody with the initials EMP missing….
Ah going and volunteer my managerial experience for free eh and I will always be his wing man all the time “Top Gun’…BOOM.
Volunteer means working for free eh…be careful what you ask for
I don’t need the money eh, I got the monies a matter of fact it will save me from taking anybody to court eh. Them really good yes.
Savitri Maharaj that is exactly what they want …VOLUNTEERS…..
..SOME volunteers. Others get paid .
Free ting no good and ….
True dat eh Keith Look Loy
true
never let the same dog bite you more than once…
Hahaha ent Hassan C Araujo..I keep telling my fave uncle that eh..but he really good yes
imagine this you let go someone because they ask about their compensation then you hire someone else to do the same job …what a thing …like trini does wipe first and then do their mess ….only in triniland….
I am not listening to alyuh nah because it will also be a pleasure wukking with my top goalscorer Reynold Carrington who represented my team and our sweet country back in the days in Brooklyn eh, so now I am going and return the favor eh, so ah wukking for free and I done talk. hahahaha
those were the days….good ole days…..
And Alyuh know how ah like meh big players eh, so my second sweetest country here we comes eh, it is time to show them the real samba football…….BOOM.
Stephen Hart has nothing to worry about!
Ent!!!!! But you know how stupid some sport admins are…..in Trini anything can happen….lol…
But of course my Foreign Base/ Trini bestest Coach have nutten to worry about eh, he will be around for the 2022 World Cup in Qator the same to eh.
Wish him all the very best, just keep your eyes peeled on their every move…I fraid these people
looking in from the outside….why the sports NGOs in TT have so much bacchanal…not only the sports NGOs….but the entire country everything is bacchanal….WHY….
I hope he can put some fire and fight in those boys hearts
Don’t play with my emotions, Lasana. Latas coaching U-17s?
. My only comment at this point is that these appointments are deeply cynical. Good luck to Latapy and the new staff because we all wish the best for our national teams. But where the TTFA could not find money to pay current staff they will now find to pay new staff, including Latapy, who is already owed monies and who ain’t coming to work for a small monthly stipend? I repeat, this is cynical..
Local coaches should take note. When they respect you, they find a way to pay you.
Seems like this is a group that has no qualms in making promises. We also have lots of people who are willing to give them a chance to honor their word, and to serve. Honestly, hope it works out for football and the kids’ sake.
I think it’s premature to say coaches will be paid as contractual payment commitments have been broken before.
Brian, they forced out the last fellah for just asking if they planned to pay him.
So I guess a promise is a step up from that. Lol.
Russell ever got the monies previously owed to him
Not all. He got part payments so far. Right Wayne Mandeville?
Hmmm…i really hope this time the TTFA keeps their end of the agreement
Is this a way of keeping him quiet and to abandon that court case?
That is one theory that makes sense Savitri. It is an odd career move for both parties otherwise.
The T&TFA generally doesn’t pay youth coaches, which shows a lack of concern in development. And in the circumstances, the job seems beneath Latapy.
So I’m inclined to think that there is something we aren’t seeing that sweetens the pot.
Maybe Latas just wants an easy life now…who knows? But it would be very interesting to see this unfold
Easy life? Not in these parts. Lol
Lolol…when I say easy I mean not at the top of the leagues again.
Debbie Espinal
Oh ho! The U-17…I hear it was the senior team
Seems like they can pay who they want to pay. Good luck to Russell Latapy and I hope he succeeds.
For other local coaches… Take note. If they respect you, they will find money to pay you.
Ah really was going and saying Mango favorite phrase “allyuh good yes” to Latas for taking the job and hoping to get pay
If he hasn’t been paid yet, what about that court action?
He has been paid part. Not all. They still owe him.
I want to believe he isn’t coming in without a contract like these other guys.
Lasana breds….I waiting patiently to see the rest of this story….
Me too eh
So why they could not pay Ken Elie….them really good yes….
this is a good move…
If its magic…….:)
Somebody’s got to do it. Hoping for the best
Well well well