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Former Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach and 2006 World Cup defender Dennis Lawrence has joined the United States Major League Soccer (MLS).
Lawrence, 49, was invited to be assistant coach to new Minnesota United head coach Eric Ramsay, who was Erik ten Hag’s first team coach at Manchester United.
The former Malick Secondary schoolboy and Defence Force player said goodbye to his current employer, Coventry City, just moments before being officially welcomed to Minnesota United on the club website.
Incidentally, Lawrence should interact with 19-year-old Trinidad and Tobago midfielder Molik Khan who plays with the Minnesota second team in MLS Next Pro.
“I would like to thank the Coventry City fans for their support during my time at this incredible club,” said Lawrence, according to a report in the Coventry Telegraph. “I will take with me the great memories we shared, in particular our 4-1 victory versus Sheffield United, which I had the honour of leading the team on the day.
“I will take with me the song We Live And Die In These Towns, as I constantly tapped my feet before kick-off at every home fixture. Wishing Coventry City every success going forward–PUSB (Push Up Sky Blues).”
Photo: Minnesota United
Lawrence’s swansong at Coventry, an England Championship team, is expected to be this weekend’s FA Cup clash with Premier Division outfit, Wolves. He is the second Trinidad and Tobago coach to serve in the MLS, after Men’s National Under-20 Team head coach Brian Haynes—who served as an assistant coach at Dallas Burns between 2001 to 2006.
At Coventry, Lawrence was number three in manager Mark Robins’ backroom staff with particular responsibility for set pieces. However, he did lead out the “Sky Blues” on one occasion in March 2022—when Robins and first assistant coach Adi Viveash both tested positive for Covid-19.
The result, as Lawrence noted, was a memorable 4-1 win over Sheffield United at the CBS Arena.
Photo: AFP 2017/ Luis Acosta
Lawrence won just two from 15 competitive games as Soca Warriors head coach, with three draws and 10 losses. However, one of those wins was a memorable 2-1 triumph over the United States on 10 October 2017, which eliminated the North American team from the Russia 2018 World Cup.
City’s Under-21 development coach John Dempster, according to the Telegraph, is expected to replace Lawrence at the England tier two team.
“I would like to thank Dennis for his hard work and important contribution to the success that we have experienced over the last few years,” said Robins, “during which he has been a popular and integral part of our team.
(Copyright AFP 2017/ Ed Grimaldo)
“It is an incredible opportunity for Dennis and his family that it would have been difficult not to have taken, and he leaves us with our best wishes for his new role at Minnesota United and for the future.”
For his part, Lawrence said he is now anxious to join Ramsay and Minnesota United’s “exciting plans for the future”.
“I have known Eric for some time and his values, coaching principles and philosophy align with my own,” Lawrence told the Minnesota United website. “I can’t wait to start working with him, Cameron Knowles and the squad, while looking forward to embracing the passionate support of the Loons fan base.”
Photo: Chevaughn Christopher/ Wired868
Minnesota United chief soccer officer and sporting director Khaled El-Ahmad also welcomed the Trinbagonian to their setup.
“First and foremost, [Dennis] is a great person—along with his character, he brings a wealth of experience in coaching at nearly every level in soccer,” said El-Ahmad. “His perspectives coaching for both club and country will provide the club valuable insight that will continue to set our players up for success each week.
“Dennis and Eric Ramsay know each other well, and are fully aligned in the way we want to play. I look forward to experiencing their chemistry as they continue building on our overall vision for the club.”
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