Latapy heads TTFA wishlist to replace Saintfiet; but Warriors want Hart, Fevrier or Fenwick

Former Trinidad and Tobago football legend Russell Latapy is believed to head the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s (TTFA) wishlist, as the technical committee ponders its replacement for outgoing coach Tom Saintfiet.

However, the Soca Warriors are pleading with the local football body to return Stephen Hart to the helm.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago coach Stephen Hart (centre) and goalkeeper Michael Maurice (right) interact during a practice at the Olimpico Metropolitano stadium in San Pedro Sula on 14 November 2016 before their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Honduras. (Copyright AFP 2016/Orlando Sierra)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago coach Stephen Hart (centre) and goalkeeper Michael Maurice (right) interact during a practice at the Olimpico Metropolitano stadium in San Pedro Sula on 14 November 2016 before their 2018 World Cup qualifier against Honduras.
(Copyright AFP 2016/Orlando Sierra)

Saintfiet, who lost both 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup playoff matches to Suriname and Haiti on 4 and 8 January respectively, informed the public that he had resigned his post on Wednesday morning, just one month into his tenure.

The journeyman Belgian, whose former jobs included the Bangladesh, Malawi and Namibia National Teams, blamed TTFA president David John-Williams for creating an environment that made it impossible for him to be successful.

Wired868 understands that, even before Saintfiet quit, Latapy—who served as the Belgian’s assistant—had already been offered the job. However, this was not confirmed by either party and, even then, the approach was said to have occurred after the Warriors lost to Haiti on Sunday night.

There is no suggestion that Latapy did not fully support Saintfiet during the latter’s short-lived stint as head coach. However, if Latapy does take over the top job, it would be the second time that he inherited the position after serving as assistant to his predecessor.

On 8 April 2009, then head coach Francisco Maturana resigned and claimed that there were “differences of opinion in the last couple of games with Latapy” and there was “never one belief” with his assistant.

Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams (right) has a word with Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team coach Russell Latapy on the training ground before the CFU competition. (Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
Photo: TTFA president David John-Williams (right) has a word with Trinidad and Tobago National Under-17 Team coach Russell Latapy on the training ground before the CFU competition.
(Courtesy Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)

Then TTFF special advisor Jack Warner appointed Latapy on an interim basis with Zoran Vranes as his assistant. Vranes was subsequently replaced while Latapy kept his place for a total of 20 months.

In 13 competitive matches, Latapy led the Warriors to five wins, one draw and seven defeats and was eventually relieved his place after Trinidad and Tobago were dumped out of the 2010 Caribbean Cup at the group stage with defeats to Cuba and Grenada.

Latapy’s return to international duty, last September, was also a disappointment as Trinidad and Tobago were eliminated in the group stage on home soil in the Caribbean Under-17 Championship after losses to Haiti and Jamaica.

Latapy, a former World Cup 2006 player and Porto and Glasgow Rangers playmaker, barely had three weeks with the youth team before the competition.

And, if one of the country’s most iconic players gets the nod from the TTFA technical committee, it will be another devilishly difficult task with Trinidad and Tobago needing at least four points in Port of Spain against Panama and Mexico to kickstart their campaign on 24 and 28 March respectively.


Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Joevin Jones (right) battles with Mexico midfielder Paul Aguilar during a 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C match in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 15 July 2015. (Copyright AFP 2016/Nicholas Kamm)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago winger Joevin Jones (right) battles with Mexico midfielder Paul Aguilar during a 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C match in Charlotte, North Carolina, on 15 July 2015.
(Copyright AFP 2016/Nicholas Kamm)

Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene chairs the technical committee, which also includes Dr Alvin Henderson (vice-chairman), Muhammad Isa (technical director), Errol Lovell and Jinelle James. Former 1991 World Youth Cup coach Bertille St Clair has taken leave from the committee for health reasons.

Notably, Latapy is not the players’ choice—although nine members of the current Warriors pool ran out under “the Little Magician”, six years ago.

In an email to John-Williams and TTFA vice-presidents Joanne Salazar and Ewing Davis, the national footballers urged the local football body to reinstate Hart. The email was sent by Central FC goalkeeper and players’ representative Jan-Michael Williams but was said to represent 23 unnamed national players who all collaborated in the message.

“We, the players, come to you with utmost humility, asking for your consideration with regards to the selection of a new coach for the National Men’s Senior Team. We have accumulated a list of four names for special and serious consideration for the position of Head Coach and Assistant Coach.

“We KNOW it is not our decision to make, neither is it our place to make such demands, but we—23 current players—have pooled our knowledge, resources and ideas together to come up with a few names for your immediate consideration.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Sheldon Bateau (centre) is congratulated by teammates after grabbing the opening goal in a 6-0 win over St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain on 29 March 2016. (Courtesy: Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago defender Sheldon Bateau (centre) is congratulated by teammates after grabbing the opening goal in a 6-0 win over St Vincent and the Grenadines at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain on 29 March 2016.
(Courtesy: Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)

“We can all agree that we the players have interacted with these names at some level, so we can safely say our knowledge can be used in this regard.”

The coaches identified by the players are: Hart, W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier and former Central FC and San Juan Jabloteh coach Terry Fenwick.

Trinidad and Tobago national players are not usually given a say in the selection of coaches but there is precedent. In 2005, Warner hired Englishman Ron Atkinson to replace Bertille St Clair—three games into the Hex—and, as a matter of courtesy, informed the senior players before revealing his choice to the media.

However, the senior players, led by captain Dwight Yorke and goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, refused to play for Atkinson due to his previous run-ins with Yorke and racist remarks the controversial manager made about former France World Cup winning captain Marcel Desailly.

So, Warner did an about-turn and eventually returned with former Real Madrid and Netherlands coach Leo Beenhakker instead.

Photo: W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: W Connection coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

In this case, the Warriors are suggesting who they would like to have as coach rather than who they do not want. The 23 players stressed too that, although Hart was their first choice, they had not decided on the preferred candidate between Fevrier and Fenwick.

Fevrier, a St Lucian by birth, spent most of his adult life in Trinidad and coached in the local top flight since 1999. He spent six months as Trinidad and Tobago coach in 2003 but was replaced before ever leading the team into competitive action.

His record of two wins, three draws and three losses was seen as credible at the time against largely decent opposition like South Africa, Venezuela and Morocco.

However, Fevrier was replaced by St Clair at the supposed insistence of a few senior players led by star striker Stern John. Although the St Lucian is a widely respected local coach, his proximity to Connection owner John-Williams could potentially be a double-edged sword.

Fenwick, a former England World Cup defender and Tottenham Spurs captain, has never coached a national team but is a multiple Pro League Coach of the Year and is widely regarded as one of the best—if not the best—coach on the island.

Photo: Terry Fenwick (right) salutes the crowd after leading Central FC to the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield title. Looking on is Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene (centre). (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Terry Fenwick (right) salutes the crowd after leading Central FC to the 2014 Lucozade Sport Goal Shield title.
Looking on is Pro League CEO Dexter Skeene (centre).
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

His teams are athletic, aggressive and tactical flexible and he worked with most of the current squad including Khaleem Hyland, Kevin Molino, Sheldon Bateau and Williams. But his relationship with John-Williams is strained while his blunt, brash style has divided football stakeholders.

Interestingly, Fenwick and Fevrier were believed to have been on the technical committee’s shortlist, even before the appeal from the national players.

Serbian coach Zoran Vranes, who led Trinidad and Tobago at the 2009 Under-20 World Cup, and Colombian Francisco Maturana, who coached his native team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and is a former South America Coach of the Year, are also believed to be on the TTFA’s radar.

Fenwick, Vranes and Maturana all applied for the national post, two months ago, but were overlooked for Saintfiet.

Wired868 understands that Maturana, who steered Trinidad and Tobago into the Hex for the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, will not return as a stop gap measure and is only interested in the post if he has the opportunity to rebuild the national team.

Photo: Former Central FC head coach Zoran Vranes. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Former Central FC head coach Zoran Vranes.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)

Fenwick is believed to be also disinterested in a short-term appointment.

If the TTFA insists that its next coach—like Saintfiet—will only be guaranteed employment until the end of March, it is likely to thin their options even further.

At present, Latapy, who is already employed by the TTFA as a national youth team director, seems to be the preferred candidate. But the players have other ideas.

The Warriors stressed, though, that they would give full support to whoever is selected by the local football body.

“We pledge our full support regardless of who is selected to the position, even if it a person or persons outside of this list, as we know that we the players play an integral part in helping the team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.”

There was one other request from the players. They want team doctor Terence Babwah and paramedic Dave Isaac gone due to a supposed breakdown in trust, after the two staff members claimed that Hart used Williams against medical advice for Trinidad and Tobago’s last World Cup qualifier away to Honduras.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams is helped on to the stretcher by paramedic Dave Isaacs during their 2015 Gold Cup fixture against Cuba. (Courtesy CONCACAF)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams is helped on to the stretcher by paramedic Dave Isaacs during their 2015 Gold Cup fixture against Cuba.
(Courtesy CONCACAF)

“We would also like that the duo of Dr Terrence Babwah and Dave Isaac be replaced with IMMEDIATE EFFECT, because of the lack of trust that we the players have in them,” stated the players. “We look forward to working with you—the Federation—hand in hand to reach our goal, which is qualification for the 2018 World Cup.”

(Full statement from 23 Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team players)

Good day Members of the TTFA,

We hope this message meets you all in good health and spirits.

We, the players, come to you with utmost humility, asking for your consideration with regards to the selection of a new coach for the National Men’s Senior Team. We have accumulated a list of four names for special and serious consideration for the position of Head Coach and Assistant Coach.

We KNOW it is not our decision to make, neither is it our place to make such demands, but we—23 current players—have pooled our knowledge, resources and ideas together to come up with a few names for your immediate consideration.

Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team coach Stephen Hart (centre) and players (from right) Mekeil Williams, Daneil Cyrus, Kenwyne Jones, Radanfah Abu Bakr and Sheldon Bateau at a national training session. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA Images)
Photo: Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team coach Stephen Hart (centre) and players (from right) Mekeil Williams, Daneil Cyrus, Kenwyne Jones, Radanfah Abu Bakr and Sheldon Bateau at a national training session.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA Images)

We can all agree that we the players have interacted with these names at some level, so we can safely say our knowledge can be used in this regard. We pledge our full support regardless of who is selected to the position, even if it a person or persons outside of this list, as we know that we the players play an integral part in helping the team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

We also ask that we be treated without prejudice, neither for the composition of this list nor for allowing it into the hands of the media, as we believe it will be treated with the seriousness it requires when we do so. The list is as follows:

Head coaches for consideration:

Stephen Hart

Stuart Charles-Fevrier

Terry Fenwick

Angus Eve (Assistant Coach)

Photo: Club Sando and Naparima College coach Angus Eve. (Courtesy Wired868)
Photo: Club Sando and Naparima College coach Angus Eve.
(Courtesy Wired868)

We would also like that the duo of Dr Terrence Babwah and Dave Isaac be replaced with IMMEDIATE EFFECT, because of the lack of trust that we the players have in them.

We look forward to working with you—the Federation—hand in hand to reach our goal, which is qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

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About Lasana Liburd

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.

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226 comments

  1. Need to get rid of the whole football staff football not going no where just spinning in circles this country will never see a next world Cup former players need to come back followed by Ben hacker right now things not making no sense plain talk

  2. Bring Hart back and make Fenwick assistant coach

  3. Hart would not return to coach us under a DJW led administration. I can’t see Femwick working under him either, so it will probably be Latapy or W Connection’s coach. What a mess!

  4. Why would Hart return to work for this absolute shit show of an administration. They are the ones that need replacing.

  5. Russell “ah does onee smoke one cigarette ah day” Latapy?

  6. Fervier and John-Williams too close.

  7. we all know is the W connection coach getting the job. I think we will all be shocked if anyone else gets it

  8. Latapy worse than the last coach I say Jamaal Frenwick or Fervier is my favorite

  9. If DJW has his way (and he usually has) there is no way I am seeing that Fenwick would get that job #realtalk #justsaying

  10. Steupes this Prez underhandedly use a Dr to fire a coach, hire a coach who he know he could hire and fire same time so he could eventually bring in his own candidate, early o’clock he try jumping out to head a regional body.. we seeing the man tendencies.. does he really have country’s football at heart, could our football really improve in this environment!… all this man have to do now is stammer… smh

  11. What a mess. Just hire someone good and done. Let the govt jump In to provide the funding for a high quality coach. This sporting venture might be one of the few things as a nation we can look forward to this year. If Hart is willing maybe he can still be part of the setup but I still believe the initial success did make us complacent and I am glad we got our reality checks early. Santifet was just another one. With a few months to go we have to get it right this time.

  12. Read a few comments here bashing the players for making suggestions as to who they would like to work for. If I had the opportunity (and balls) to make such informed requests I’d definitely jump at it. Especially since the TTFA can’t seem to figure it out. If we the general public could have opinions, why shouldn’t the people who will be working with the next coach day in day out? I’m not saying this should necessarily be a general practice but this is a special situation.

    • It isn’t unusual though. I remember when there was a vacancy for England manager and the players said they would love to work with Redknapp.
      I remember the Dutch players saying it would be great if Rinus Michel was their coach.
      Or players publicly suggesting a player their club could sign.
      For me, once they don’t have a coach at the time then there is no harm in a suggestion.
      If they were saying this while Saintfiet was in charge, THEN it would be unprofessional.

    • Totally agreed. I wasn’t aware of the instances you brought up but they serve to reinforce my position that we should not be condemning the players for seeking their best interest. I like that Jan as a leader and captain on the team has taken a central role. Maybe this can serve as impetus for the players to pursue a proper player’s association. I hope Shaka Hislop hasn’t given up completely on this.

  13. I have a problem with people telling big men, especially professionals to shut their trap… Could it be the players are in the best position to have an opinion? Pheeeeeeeeeeew!!!

    • They had a great coach and failed to work for and with him. They never showed support for him when he was about to be fired. Did they pen a letter asking that the TTFA stick with Hart? No! Now they’re begging that he be rehired. Seriously?

    • I saw football going in a good direction before DJW assuming the presidency… I saw a team of committed players, and the results showed it… I still stand by my objection to telling big man to shut their trap, especially when they are in a better position than all of us to judge… To paint the entire team as prima donnas is also unfortunate… The current situation in our football is a direct result of (lack of) leadership… Same as West Indies cricket…

    • Marlon – Disagree totally. Football in tnt was not heading in an upward direction pre- DJW. What we had was a small blip – over a 6-8 month period. The overall trend has been downward since Germany 2006. It started when Jack Warner took all the profits from WC 2006 then blacklisted / banned most of the players. TTFA and all national teams have been suffering since.

    • So who are the prima donnas again? 🙂

    • Lol – The current crop of senior team players.

    • Carlos Lee in 2015 the football team was ranked 49th in the world by FIFA. That was our highest ranking since 2002.
      And it was no blip. So we made two gold cup quarterfinals and were runners up in two Caribbean Cups, all in the space of six to eight months?
      That’s ridiculous.
      Marlon can prove his point with facts. We were at our highest place in over a decade in 2015. And in November 2015, we had a change of president. Go check the rankings now.

    • Carlos u serious…..when Hart got our team…where he took it from and where he brought it….he made great strides…..we were matching the top Concacaf teams….and as a Coach…i can say this from experience….TTFA and alllllllllll other Coaches pleeeeeeeeeease take note….Trinidad and Tobago footballers r very difficult to manage from November to Carnival….
      I am not asking
      And i am not debating
      Its a FACT….

    • Dexter – that’s funny. Tnt players are difficult to manage from Nov to Carnival. Love it.

    • It is too easy to pick on players without consideration and knowledge of the shyte they have to put up with “behind the scenes”… I believe the record is there to be seen… An upward trajectory, then the slide… The slide coincided with an election, then alleged bust up’s between coach and new president…

    • Players were harshly criticised and called all sorts of names for not going to Nicaragua with the team over Christmas period.
      But the players who went have still not received their per diems and match fees. Yet not a peep from the public on that.

    • Carlos i not asking nobody about this….i tellin u what i experience as TTEC Head Coach….it is by farrrrrrrrr the most difficult period to manage T+T players everrrrrrrrr…
      When i realised what i was up against….i was not up against the player….i was coming up against the Culture that was embedded in them….its a much greater task when u r actually in the situation trying to manage it…than standing outside talking about how it should be managed

    • Coaches from plenty clubs said the same thing: Guaya, Defence Force… In Trinidad, once you’re under your mother’s roof, Carlos, you have gate to paint and furniture to move for Christmas. You feel they want to hear about Central FC?
      I even had a referee tell me that it is an exhausting period for him because outside of his job and officiating, he still has to give his family a hand with chores.

    • Lasana – Hilarious. I can see this becoming an issue in the amateur leagues, but not in the professional league and/or with our national teams.

    • The level has nothing to do with it….d Culture of the individual is embedded in him longgggggggggg b4 he becomes a professional footballer or National player….so wen u as d Coach gets this player…the Culture is already there…u now hav to find a way to make them understand Football’s Culture

  14. Terry is the best bet at the moment. But DJW cannot push him around, so not much chance of that happening.

  15. Point well taken, Carlos (“They need to focus on developing….”)

  16. They can give me the job, hockey is similar to football. 11 players, defenders, midfielders and forwards. I am sure I will be a huge improvement 🙂 🙂 :).

  17. Terry Fenwick is the appropriate choice

  18. These prima-donnas just need to shut their traps and play football! They need to focus on developing their weak game. Focus on improving their discipline, their commitment, and their passion for wearing the national colors. They got Hart fired now they begging for him to be rehired? Jokers yes. Lmao

  19. Last time Latapy got d job T&T finished 6th, no disrespect to d man but I say give it to Terry

  20. Would love to see Hart back involved in someway. Process of elimination, Vranes, Latapy and Fervier all got a shot at it already and never made an indelible mark. Anybody being offered a short term contract makes no sense, bottom line

  21. If I were Stephen Hart i wouldn’t touch TnT football with a ten foot pole. But alas, he’s a good guy so who knows.

  22. All things being equal if the players have a say in the appointment of their coach, it will strengthen the bond between the both parties, thus adding that particular chemistry necessary for positive outcomes. Just as in a business, employees are motivated when their input is recognised and productivity is increased which is sorely needed now.
    Come on we need something to smile about in football!

  23. Give Fenwick the Job…a three year contract…let’s forget 2018…who we fooling…

    • I wouldn’t give up just yet……2006 we lost 2-1 to the US, 5-1 to Guatemala and drew 0-0 with Costa Rica. There is still a SLIM chance we might pull something off but we need to get our act in a serious order.

  24. I respect these men for standing up as senior players and making a suggestion. Personally id like to see terry given the reigns until the next gold cup. or do a terry and fervier combo like shabazz and barber……………if that is tennable then i think it will be the best bet.

  25. This is crazy. These poor Nashies literally begging this man to put them in the best position to be successful?

    Based on his past record that plea by the players falling on deaf ears…smh

  26. Why fevrier of all names lol… angus eve hmmm, that one caught me by surprise

  27. If the players open to Stuart Charles-Fevrier as head coach then I think that is an easy and done deal in DJW’s mind #wconnectionposse

  28. I find those players have real nerve…if only a coach could’ve given a player talent eh or even if it could’ve been bought in a store lol… A coach can only “enhance” your talent at this age… You either have it or you don’t… I’m just saying…

  29. Carlos Lee these people drinking what uncle Elis drinking….the flag blowing the breeze??

  30. Terry fenwick is dman rigth know for the job

  31. We’re most likely gonna get another “saintfiet” , and some imminent chop and change in April

  32. Bring back Hart and let him finish what him and his boys started…bottomline.

  33. latapy’s record.last stint was.appalling

  34. It’s a no-brainer that Mr. Fenwick should be the one given the opportunity for three obvious reasons:-

    (1) He is the only one on the Players Recommended List who actually applied for the job so why take someone from outside of that who did not even given consideration to the challenge ahead.

    (2) At this critical juncture, at least 4 points are desperately needed in the Hex so no time to develop chemistry and buy in with new coach. Again a no brainer to use a Coach who already knows the current players strengths, weaknesses, idiosyncrasies and even how to deal with our fete mentality and penchant for boat rides!

    (3) We are evidently plagued by the proverbial “foreigner syndrome” where we must have an outsider come in seemingly because they possess a higher pedigree. The great Gally Cummings have articulated that a local coach can get it done. Thus, with Fenwick you get both sides appeased in that he is now a “localized” Foreigner. It’s the best of both worlds especially since he played at the World Cup and in the EPL.

    Why not take a chance? Sometimes brash and brazen is what is needed from a coach…not kid’s gloves!
    However, with the all the politics and skulduggery at the TTFA, expect the unexpected!

  35. The players are key stakeholders of the game and have every right to offer suggestions. I like the idea of the involvement of Angus Eve. If the job is short-term, and Hart, Fenwick and Charles-Fervier are not interested but Zoran Vranes is, he might just be better than the best bet in the circumstances, especially with the TTFA’s history in falling short of its commitment to honour its compensation agreements with technical staff and players.
    It appears that the players are not particularly keen on Latas taking up d role as head coach.
    Also if the collective will of the players is reposed with little respect and trust for the team medic and his physio, then it might be easier to replace this pair than than the players. I suspect Jan Michael is a casualty of the strained relationship between him and the team medic.
    I would imagine if the TTFA prezy has any sense, he would do well to listen a little lest he intends to leave a legacy of a loathsome leader.
    Hanging to the coattails of FIFA president Infantino, just because he voted for the Italian, will do him no special $$ or other favours, if the various national teams continue to perform as badly as they are under his tenure.

  36. Carlos, like you eh realize that everything fall down. The present,modified vacuum creates scenarios like that.

  37. I agree that the coach should get a deal at least until the 2019 Gold Cup. No coach with self respect with accept anything else.
    With all due respect to Angus Eve and Earl Jean, who are both competent football men, whoever gets the job should get their own staff.
    Let’s give coaches what they need as best as possible so they have no excuses for failure.

  38. They could live in hope I suppose. Nothing wrong with dreaming but unfortunately it’s only nightmares for them. They should have stood their ground long before this therefore I have no sympathy for that bunch of back stabbing cowards. Where were they when coach Hart needed their support. Busy covering their own asses while they hung him out to dry. Steups!!

  39. I think Angus Eve or Earl John would be great assistant coaches. Whichever coach is chosen should be given at least 1 year with a promise of decent friendly games. This is a period of consolidation. 2 draws may not be acceptable for 2018 qualification, but we have to steady the ship and look at the next gold cup and 2022. A quick fix ain’t gonna happen. We don’t need a coach who’s only trying to win next two games. We need a coach who will develop a professional culture, who will look at our 15 & 16 year olds and prepare them for the future. Forget 2018, it’s already gone. Bring back the pride in wearing the red, white and black and plan for the future!

  40. Wait – players want to decide who should coach them and who should be the team doctor? Lol. Next they will want to decide when and if to train, when to go on ah boat ride, who should make the squad, and who should be in the starting 11. Jokers yes.

    • It worked really well the last time the team had an input. And I’d say judging on the last appointment, the TTFA should be grateful for additional advice.
      It isn’t odd elsewhere to give senior players a say though, even though they obviously won’t have final call.

    • So how do you think benhaker was hired in 2005???

    • Lasana – this is a national team. This is not your Wired868 fete match, where players can suggest an appropriate coach or captain to you, the organizer. All these idiots trying to do is load the dice in their favor to ensure their selection.

    • Carlos, you never see players all over the world saying in the press: we hope we get this player… we hope we get this coach?
      For me, there is not unusual here. At least the players still care about this campaign.
      Just a suggestion from them. Not a threat.

    • Lionel Messi and other senior players of Argentina….were influential in Tata being names Head Coach of Argentina….
      Germany had a private meeting with their players and the players gave Lowe the nod….and look how that turned out…
      So once it can be handled right ….nothing is wrong as a governing body finding out where the players heads are at….b4 making a choice….Leo Benhakker was chosen bcuz the senior players agreed to hav him…and look how that turned out….flip the coin…..and think about if the senior players did not object to Atkinson..who was Mr Warner’s first choice…..the we would not hav gotten Benhakker…..and we would not have reached to the World Cup

    • Lasana – individual players may be asked by the press if they have a preference, but rarely do you have an entire team penning a letter to an FA with a list of preferred options.

    • Dexter – Messi is one of a kind. And from what I recall Klinsmann was the one who recommended Lowe take over from him after Germany 2006. He was Klinsmann’s assistant at the time. As for Atkinson – unfortunately we don’t know how his appointment would have turned out. So let’s not assume he would not have been successful had he been given the job. Maybe with him
      things would have been even better. We might have not only qualified for the WC, but also won one or more matches in Germany?

    • I’m not talking about individual players being asked but about them offering suggestions. Although it is true that teams ask their senior players for advice.
      I don’t think it is worse for a team to do it. I’m encouraged that they still care enough about this campaign to get together as a group and come up with a shortlist. And it is a better shortlist than the TTFA technical committee came up with.
      There is nothing to suggest that Ron would have gotten Trinidad to the World Cup. And there is even less to suggest he was a bette coach than Beenhakker. That’s laughable.
      I only ever speculate based on something.

    • Lasana – do you have a list of the players who signed the letter? Would love to see who were some of these “caring” players.

    • Nah. I don’t. But Jan-Michael has operated as the players’ representative with the TTFA for a long time. So I can only take his word for it.

    • Lasana – Wait. So Jan-Michael pens a letter to the TTFA and says he’s representing the views of 20 plus players? And none of the players names are listed? Interesting. And to think that he’s not even the captain of the team. Jokers yes.

    • The 23 players he claims to be representing – do they have a guarantee pick on the national team? Do they include any of the players from the recent Caribbean Cup matches or are these players from Hart’s last WC qualifier?

    • Only two players from the Caribbean Cup were uncapped before. All the rest were essentially in the pool already. In any case, I don’t know the identity of the 23.

  41. It will be whomever DJW can control. And I don’t think any of those three are ‘yes men’.

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