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Former Trinidad and Tobago international captain and England Premier League forward Kenwyne Jones will serve as assistant coach for the National Under-17 Team, as head coach Stern John revealed his technical staff this evening.
Jones played alongside John for the Soca Warriors at the 2006 World Cup while both have top flight experience in England. John played for Birmingham and Sunderland in the Premiership while Jones represented Southampton, Sunderland, Stoke City and Cardiff City.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)
John and Jones, according to a release from the TTFA Media, will work alongside a second assistant coach, Caleb De Souza, as well as goalkeeper coach Ross Russell, equipment manager Devin Elcock and team manager Aaron Pollard. De Souza, Elcock and Pollard are survivors from the technical staff that worked with previous head coach, Russell Latapy.
The coaching appointments were made without approval by the TTFA board, according to board member Keith Look Loy. The TTFA board is due to meet on 12 March to discuss the formal staffing of the national youth team
John, who vowed to hit the ground running with the national youth team, said he is satisfied with the pool of abilities within the technical staff he named today.
“I believe we have a group of very capable individuals who will serve on the technical staff to ensure the team is prepared in the best possible way for the competition in May,” he told the TTFA Media. “Everyone understands his roles and responsibilities. The Football Association is on board with us and, with the right level of support, I am optimistic that we go about the preparation of this team in a most professional manner to get the boys up to scratch; so that we can go to Florida and compete in May.
“We’ve already seen several groups of players and our intention is to also stage a combine in the United States later this month to have a look at the talent that is available to us out there. We will release more concrete details on that before the end of this week.”
(Copyright Chevaughn Christopher/Wired868)
The entire National Under-17 Team staff agreed to work without remuneration, with the current executive of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA)—led by president David John-Williams—still unable to pay coaching staff on several teams.
At present, the TTFA is operating without a technical director or properly functioning technical committee, as Anton Corneal withheld his services due to John-Williams’ failure to fulfil the terms of his contract while the technical committee fell apart soon after the controversial appointment of National Senior Team head coach Dennis Lawrence in January 2017.
John’s coaching experience comprises of two years as assistant coach at Central FC, a year and a half as head coach at the same club and two years as assistant to Lawrence with the National Senior Team.
Jones made his coaching debut in mid-2018 when he served as assistant to Queen’s Royal College head coach Nigel Grosvenor.
De Souza, a former St Mary’s College midfielder, served as Latapy’s assistant, two years ago, when the National Under-15 outfit were mauled at Concacaf level—they conceded 21 goals in four successive losses, including an 8-1 loss to Jamaica. He does not coach competitively in Trinidad.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Russell does bring some experience as head coach to the staff, despite operating as a goalkeeping coach. A former Defence Force head coach, Russell has won two Pro League titles and an array of knockout competitions while he also served as an international head coach at Women’s National Senior Team and Men’s National Under-17 Team level.
The current National Under-17 squad begin their World Youth Cup qualifying campaign at Concacaf level on 1 May when they challenge Bermuda in what could be a decisive affair.
Trinidad and Tobago are grouped with Bermuda, Jamaica and Mexico and one from the quartet will be eliminated while the other three advance to the quarterfinal round.
Outgoing Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve had another 17 months left on his contract Read more
St Benedict’s College coach Randolph ‘Balo’ Boyce has been selected as the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-20 Team head Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) announced its first major change under the tenure of new president Kieron Edwards, Read more
The Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-17 Team closed off their tour to Jamaica yesterday evening with a 1-0 defeat Read more
Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Under-17 Team head coach Shawn Cooper said his troops will leave Jamaica with their heads Read more
Jamaica-based attacker Akel Vesprey got the decisive goal against the nation he now calls home today, as he steered Trinidad Read more
I remember Travis Mulraine as a player…he was ultra aggressive. The local Roy Keane.
Mango them really good yes
Some of the coaches who commenting in here still send players to our.national teams who can’t control a ball properly who have been under them for as long as 10 years
Lester Felix no kid who cant control a ball properly should be on the national team in my humble opinion. If they are, think that’s a big issue
A coach of any national team who picks a player who cant trap shouldnt be a coach at all
Devon Hamlet yep
I do believe that any national coach should try to see a player in their own environment (club/team) before inviting them to any national training. As far as possible that is.
Brian Jordan the last time a technically good youth team came out of Trinidad and Tobago.was the 1982 /1985 era so what these so called good youth coaches.was doing after that time to now and want to come and criticize and name shame all these former nationals who is trying their best with what ever little it have
Lester Felix it’s the system and not just coaches man. Can’t take a few weeks before a tournament to get a team ready. That’s been tried and failed over and over, yet it still is the normal TTFA practice. Ask yourself where and on what FIFA developmental funds is spent. It’s a bad system
Brian Jordan but but a man who cant control a ball properly reach d EPL…d highest of highest levels
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid yes, he had many other positive attributes. I trust the EPL coaches don’t focus on the small negatives some of us choose to focus on
Brian Jordan one attribute u need to have is to have a coaching badge
what coaching knowledge u using to coach?
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid ideally, yes but that’s different than criticizing his touch.
Brian Jordan his touch was atrocious he should have been dropped eons ago and played lazily…lol
I don’t know why Alyuh hutting up Alyuh heads abiut who are the coaches or assistant coaches or who wants to be because either very much prepared like back in the days or isn’t prepared in these times eh the same results will always continue, either just qualifying for the youth or senior tournaments, the results is always the same and it is back to the drawing board with the continuing of the bootleg coaches in our sweet country so Alyuh just sit back and enjoy the continuing soap operas eh Them really good yes
I am also waiting in the wings for the vacancies to be advertised so that I can send my resume ♂️
When is the last time a coaching position has been advertised? And who makes the hiring decision and what criteria is used?
Kurtwyn Baird Standby reserve Head Coach?
Timothy Rochford ??♂️
Kurtwyn Baird feel you may be waiting for a long time for that advert
Well I would never ask no other way Timothy?
Kurtwyn Baird I hear you.
Timothy Rochford I have a successful resume in Coaching at all levels much longer than many of the present and past coaching staff that got opportunities.
I support my Country and the Coaching Staff but I would never ask for favors
Yes I got that. Some of these favors are sacrificial though.
Timothy Rochford you must always do things the right way,that’s my belief but I also know my way isn’t everyone else’s ?
Kurtwyn Baird true.
Kurtwyn Baird so if give the opportunity to coach any national soccer team in Trinidad and Tobago you will accept
Given the present discrepancies
Earl Carter I am not going to accept any job that I cannot bring success,but if I am offered a Contract my hiring would be to the benefit of all,I don’t know the Contracts that others have accepted and therefore bringing these discrepancies that have been so exposed
Earl Carter when I was Coaching in the PFL all these men were still playing,Angus Eve,Derick King,Reynold Carrington,Earl Jean and many others,DJW hired me to coach all his youth teams even with players like Kenwyn Jones and Clyde De Leon and others,I was also asked to Coach Naparima which I brought instant success to also,I can go on and on but I am very straight and honest in my values, I have been always successful
Just put that out there, no need to delve into the mess , as we say in Islam ” the pen is lifted and the ink has dried” I hope the guys do well we need to win one group game and the quarter-final and we are off to a WC
Travis Mulraine qualifications & expierence no longer stand in this sweet T&T ..
Travis Mulraine You are handling yourself in a most professional manner, keep working on your craft because the opportunities will come
My experience as a coach .
Pro league
·Assistant coach Jabloteh
·Assistant coach Caledonia
·Assistant coach Central F.C
·Assistant coach North East Stars
Super League
Head Coach 500 Spartans
Head Coach Mathura Reunited
SSFL
Head Coach Tranquillity Sec
Assistant coach Naparima College
Head Coach Arima North Secondary
I am also two licences away from the Peps, Klopps and Valverdes of the world.
Travis Mulraine you certainly are well qualified for a National team… I wish you success in your career…stay focused and keep doing what you are happy with.
Tony Maxwell Hatt thanks
I for one can guarantee you if you were appointed ppl here would still be having the same discussion about you not being qualified. These ppl here likes nobody
Ancil LeRoy James LoL I hear you.
Travis Mulraine Were these roles paid or were you acting in a voluntary capacity?
Travis Mulraine If the TTFA did things properly according to the agreed constitution. You would have been properly interviewed, approved by the board and have a salary and other benefits as a paid employee. As it is you are having to post your ‘resume’ on social media for credibility.
Jo Ann well one of the wired family wasn’t sure if I was a fly by night , so I just put it out , I even missed my stint coaching in the US LoL, but as I say it it is what it is. I have some interesting projects I’m working on so I ‘ll focus on those
Earl an assistant coach is part of d coach staff.He/she is someone chosen by d coach to work alongside him.
Lord have mercy donkey touch is assistant coach can’t wait for him to demonstrate a one two
Dion Sosa he play at d highest level.and coach QRC what level u play at?
Collin Cudjoe he is the shittiest man ever pass thru Trinidad
Dion Sosa Ok football age ent? from Bel mont
Collin Cudjoe in my time Jones would not have been a mascot
Dion Sosa the man play in the EPL, how that happen?
Nigel Noel Lord only knows
Dion Sosa sour grapes find in his time you would not have made the ream how petty
Collin Cudjoe A serious ques in alllll your years watching the EPL name one player with a wuss first touch than jones? Liverpool dodged a bullet. yet trinis used to be harshest on Stern by far the country’s most productive striker ever and it not even close
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid exactly
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid Y we on Jones?
Collin Cudjoe Because he is now an assistant coach to future senior players with no badge and no first touch
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid lmao
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid kenwyn could not of join my beloved Liverpool they wuda give him an physio wrk after two games wen dey see dat cement touch day promote him they one time
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid Lukaku last season
Ian Fitzwilliam nah man u crazy
to compare lukaku and kenwyn
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid didn’t John Terry compare KJ to Drogba once?
Ian Fitzwilliam lunacy always exists. have no comparison dey
Jones is wconnection working for free.yuh want ah better deal?
Ian Fitzwilliam John Terry was joking
how many seasons did Jones play in epl and for how many clubes?
Dion Sosa lol don’t do that to my Captain
Collin Cudjoe more than any of us ???
.exactly????????
Dion Sosa he would have replace you???
Dion Sosa
I suppose doing it for free is the criteria certainly not a proven track record in youth coaching .
So on their return the performance assessment will be based on monies spent ….not football .
I wonder how many other coaches who would have done it for free were turned down .
Did the Board select the coach from an list ?
Trevor good question.
It’s the culture of the old boys club…We need not be surprised.
yuh doh jus walk into ah big wuk.Yorke Latas assistant on d soca warriors nobody eh say boo.
all jnr team coaches use teams to build resume
These guys are obviously building a resume on the expense of a National Under 17 team when there are qualified coaches ready for the job… this is ridiculous …..to remain current and relevant in this industry… and to bring the best version of my skills and abilities to each coaching assignment I choose to constantly reinvest in myself. I invest in seminars and learning platforms, and I purchase resources to help keep my coaching relevant and finely tuned for the benefit of my paying clients. When I am presented with an offer of “free” work I believe I am stealing from other qualified coaches who may be better suited for the job and will turn it down… I am not against offering free advice and free seminars but to accept an offer of leading a national or club team for free is going against the philosophy of ‘good coaching skills’ … this is setting a bad precedent
Boy oh boy. Tony you said it all. If we can only structure our football to run as a business, instead of a parlor then we will be on the road to challenge any country in the concacaf.
and everybody working for free.
Eat ah food mentality!
I repeat for all: the TTFA Board has not appointed this staff. Only Stern John has been officially appointed. I do not know how TTFA Media could issue this statement. Board members, some at least, are upset.
Pretty sure the head coach generally gets to choose his staff.
Kion the head coach doesn’t pay stuff from his own pocket. So he doesn’t get to choose staff. He can make recommendations but that’s it.
Not that anyone is actually going to pay this staff of course. ??♂️
Kion S Williams also a senior and seasoned coach would have more latitude in selecting his staff. Keep in mind even Hart and Beenhakker had staff members assigned to them by the TTFA, if I recall correctly?
If Kenwyn was the assistant coach for QRC how can anyone nominate him as the assistant coach for our national u 17. At what time did the assistant proved he was strategic as well as implementation of ideas were tactically sound. Our coaching structure reflects my questioning
Has anyone realized that Trinidad and Tobago have always produced the quality players that can hold their own in any league around the world? So what’s the problem? Our administration.
Earl Carter Administration has been our biggest issue
Earl Carter and we also produced the professional player with the worst first touch on the planet
Kenwyn most likely is pro bono also.
The saga continues
Did Ross turn down the U-17 head coach job/position?
Honestly, if Travis Mulraine was turned down because his experience wasn’t good enough to merit an assistant job, then how do you justify Kenwyne?
Not to knock Kenwyne but he hasn’t even been coaching for a year. Travis is obviously miles better than that. And again you have a fairly inexperienced head coach with a very inexperienced assistant coach.
Doesn’t seem to be the smartest pairing to me, particular in such conditions with so many challenges.
Arguably, our Senior Team was in the same boat for the last two years.
Internationally, playing experience usually counts for something in lieu of coaching badges.
Pairing a rookie head coach with two rookie assistant coaches in the middle of the Hex was a poor decision.
Kion you get fast tracked for your badges. But saying you’d be a good coach because you were a good player is like assuming a good student would make a good teacher.
Not saying they will be a success, I mean jus look at Latas, but Travis coaching experience locally may be considered on par with their international exposure.
Lasana Liburd whilst international experience as a player doesn’t necessarily make you a good coach, don’t you think you would have had more exposure to different coaching techniques which could help you an an assistant coach?
Nigel Noel yuh ever hear about a man call Tony Adams? ??
Yes!
My point was comparing Kenwyne to Travis Mulraine for the role of assistant coach and Lasana’s comment about experience
Nigel Noel you do know Travis made his international debut at about 17 and played alongside guys like Russell and Dwight?
And Travis played professionally in USA and Germany?
He never played in the Premier League or the World Cup but Travis was no slouch as a player. I guarantee you that.
Kenwyne doesn’t necessarily have an advantage over him there.
Kion S Williams you underestimate Travis’ experience as a player.
Now I’m not saying that Travis SHOULD be coach. Because there are others who have done even better. Angus Eve and Shawn Cooper for instance. Jerry Moe and Anthony Streete. I can call a few.
But no way does Kenwyne have a better CV than Travis.
LoL, is Lasana Liburd defending Travis Mulraine? Never thought I’d see the day LoL LoL. Anyways I don’t want to go into much detail unless y’all want the scoop on how my name got involved but that’s not important anymore since as we say in Islam
” the pen is lifted and the ink has dried”
Let me outline my experience as a coach, forget playing as you well know it counts for nothing as a coach.
2009-present
·Assistant coach San Juan Jabloteh
·Assistant coach Caledonia AIA
·Assistant coach Central F.C
·Assistant coach North East Stars
·Head Coach RSSR North Zone
·Head Coach 500 Spartans Super League
·Head Coach Mathura Reunited Super League
SSFL:
·Head Coach Tranquillity Sec
·Assistant coach Naparima College
·Head Coach Arima North Secondary
Just saying.
I am also two licences away from the Klopps and Peps and Valverdes of the world.
I wish those guys all the success because we need some positive results both on and off the field.
Lasana Liburd i am in no way suggesting that Travis Mulraine is a slouch.
I do not remember his career very well but if I am not mistaken his stints in the US and Germany were not in the MLS nor the Bundesliga.
All i am saying is that having played in a WC in the premier league and the MLS Kenwyne would likely have gotten exposed to more coaching techniques than someone who didnt play at those levels.
Ability to connect with the players and transfer that knowledge is a whole different story
Nigel, Travis actually played in the MLS with San Jose Earthquakes. He also signed with DC United, although he was released prior to the start of the season.
Travis the truth is the truth.
Nigel Noel did you see kenwyne Jones career and you talking about exposure to good coaching etc the man first touch warranted 15 to life
Dion yuh criticize the head coach and asst coach, tell us what you think about the rest of the so-called staff nah.
Timothy Rochford the person who should be coaching the team is Anthony Sherwood
Dion who is Sherwood coaching now or coached recently? I’m honestly asking because I dont know.
Timothy Rochford he has coached at university and professional academies in the US and currently has one of the top coaching schools in trinidad
Dion Sosa Don’t you think we have ample coaches who have the requisite experience in this country? Question is should they be fairly compensated for their work. The answer would and should always be a resounding “YES”
Brian Jordan yes
that appointment is based on partner thing and lack of funding by the idiots in ttfa
Dion Sosa seems like it. Board is not allowed to function.
No organization which functions like that will ever succeed consistently..
Dion Sosa I’m inclined to agree with you but what is Sherwood’s coaching school name
Brian Jordan that is the main problem here… why work for no compensation… that is a very bad precedent… how does that reflect on the coaches who are owed funds by the TTFA? What message is the TTFA sending… “look we have coaches working for FREE” why should we pay you?
Timothy Rochford not sure it on fb check under Anthony Sherwood
Dion Sosa you are vouching for the football school or the coach? I’m confused.
Timothy Rochford the coach
Dion Sosa 15 to life? you are being kind…more like hanging in d square…i think in my 30 years of watching national football he had the worst first touch of any local player
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid you are a boss
Dion Sosa i only miss 5 national team games in 30 years. 3 i was out d country, one was d wc qualifier played in bago and one I had a wedding lol
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid I am bewildered to know what them epl coaches saw in him more than he can head the ball he can’t pass control shoot dribble and not a treat besides set plays
Think belittling a national skipper and former professional seems a bit petty. He is in a very small number of Trinbagonians who came from these little islands and made it in the European first division. I prefer to honour his achievements, sacrifice and efforts, not look for his faults. He didn’t hire himself and I am rooting for the success of the team under the existing technical staff.
Dion Sosa dem coaches realize dar he can’t trap or dribble so dey just make men aim for he head while game going on an on corners to
I am a member of the TTFA Board of Directors. I do not know who appointed this staff. Nor when. The TTFA Board has a meeting tomorrow to discuss the appointment of additional personnel to join Stern John. And I read this. Are people tslking out of turn? Have secret appointments been made to present the Board with a de facto situation? Stay tuned.
Keith Look Loy yuh does hurt my heart when you say those thinhs yuh know so even after all past discussions internal and in public you mean to say is Nothing changing but I doh understand what is it to jus call a board meeting present names and roles then agree lord have mercy when will it end
Keith, I’ve updated story to reflect what you’ve just said.
Lasana “Teflon Don” Liburd
#DohStick
Lasana Liburd Good
Devon Hamlet I am awaiting the meeting to learn if some staff spoke out of turn or what.
Kenwyne jones yuh say bai ????? Nah we football gone to the dogsssss
Keith Look Loy i understand the frustration. As I said a few weeks ago when looking at the governance web (can’t say structure) this poor coordination and decisions being taken without governance oversight will happen. Stern as coach cannot select assistants without board oversight. How can people be okay with this ?
Can’t really be “hired” if no money involved. Hopefully this new generation of legends can inspire the young ones.
Kion S Williams Jones? A legend?
Dion Sosa ppl wicked yes. Jones is a legend in lack of a first touch
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid look at it from this point of view: how many Trinis have scored more goals in the EPL than Kenwyne Jones?