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The Defence Force Football Club announced the departure of head coach Densill Theobald, after an abrupt parting of ways today—just three weeks before their opening 2025 Concacaf Caribbean Cup fixture against Haitian outfit Juventus de Cayes at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.
The 43-year-old Theobald, in his first season at the helm, led the “Army” to a sweep of domestic titles in the 2024/25 season as they clinched the TTPFL Tier One and First Citizens Bank Knockout crowns.
Photo: TTPFL.
However, Theobald appeared to be troubled by his relationship with his employers, as evidenced in a letter purported to be from the young coach this morning:
“I write this message with a heavy heart to inform ALL that I regrettably have decided to part ways with the club with immediate effect. Football doesn’t belong [to] or revolve around Densill Theobald but I always envision it to be my way and without that, [I’m] powerless and useless which doesn’t sit well with me.
“I take this opportunity to wish nothing but the best to the club, the staff and the players whom I have grown to love dearly.”
Photo: TTPFL.
Wired868 tried unsuccessfully to reach Theobald for comment on the letter.
Defence Force club director Lieutenant Ryan Ottley confirmed that the two parties parted ways, in a release this afternoon, though.
“The Board and Management of the Defence Force Football Club (DFFC) wishes to officially announce the departure of Head Coach Mr Densill Theobald from the club,” stated the release.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to Mr Theobald for his service, commitment, and contribution to the development of the team during his tenure, and we wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
Theobald’s assistant coach and former Defence Force and Trinidad and Tobago standout striker Devorn Jorsling was given the reins on an interim basis and will oversee their star-studded team’s preparations for next month’s Concacaf competition.
However, Theobald walked away from the club on 27 July 2025.
Photo: Defence Force FC.
The Defence Force release referred to Jorsling as a club legend.
“Mr Jorsling will lead the team’s preparations for the upcoming CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship, as we continue to strive for excellence both regionally and internationally,” stated the club. “The Defence Force Football Club remains committed to the development of football and the pursuit of success on and off the field.”
Jorsling is now Defence Force’s third head coach in 12 months. Last October, the TTPFL outfit suddenly replaced Lloyd Andrews and his assistant Hutson Charles.
Photo: Daniel Prentice/ Wired868.
Charles told the Newsday that he, Andrews and assistant Devin Elcock were informed by the club that it wanted to go “in a different direction”.
The trio led Defence Force to the 2023 TTPFL Tier One league and cup double as well as the 2024 KO title. But it was not enough to satisfy the club board.
Similarly, Theobald, a midfielder for the Soca Warriors at the Germany 2006 World Cup, appeared to not have things his own way despite a sweep of trophies in 2024/25.
Photo: TTPFL.
Theobald will not spend any time away from the football field, as he is also head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Boys’ National Under-15 Team, which goes into Concacaf competition in two weeks’ time.
The young Soca Warriors are competing in Group E of League B alongside Bermuda, Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda.
Incidentally, there are no Caribbean teams in Concacaf’s League A—due to the non-participation of Haiti and Jamaica’s relatively low ranking at youth level.
Photo: Nicholas Bhajan/ Wired868.
Concacaf’s eight League A teams, who will be joined by guests Saudi Arabia, are (in order of ranking): Mexico, USA, Canada, Panama, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador and Nicaragua.
Theobald also served as assistant to Reynold Carrington at Naparima College for the 2024 Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season, although Wired868 understands that he withdrew from consideration for the vacant job as head coach for the 2025 competition.
Former Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Angus Eve, the most successful coach during the Premier Division era of the SSFL, has returned to ‘Naps’ and will guide the southern juggernauts for the 2025 season.
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