Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards has given recently appointed Head coach Dwight Yorke a mandate of qualifying the senior Soca Warriors to the Fifa Men’s World Cup or risk being replaced.

Edwards made the declaration during an interview on I95.5 FM on Saturday, as he pointed out that their World Cup qualifying ambition was the driving force behind the move to replace Angus Eve.

“It’s not just about selecting a coach. It is about the process, the journey and qualifying to the World Cup,” Edwards said.

Still, Edwards, who was elected TTFA president in April, explained that getting to the World Cup was a medium-term goal for his administration and, as such, they opted for a change in approach to accomplish that objective.

“We had to get the process right. We had to get where we wanted to go and make sure we had the mechanics within the TTFA right to make sure we get there and I think we reached the best choice for the men’s national senior team,” he shared.

“The entire team met and we laid out our short-term goals, medium-term goals and long-term goals. The medium-term goal was to qualify for the World Cup in the next two years. When we evaluated everything, we thought we needed a change...and the executive decided we wanted to go in a different direction.” Edwards added.

That said, Edwards reaffirmed his unwavering support for the current crop of Soca Warriors players to get the Twin Island Republic to another World Cup for the first time since 2006.

In fact, he revealed that Yorke’s two-year contract is with an agreement that he successfully qualifies the team to the 2026 global showpiece.

The Soca Warriors currently sit second in Group B on four points, two points behind leaders Costa Rica ahead of the resumption of qualifying action in 2025.

“With the right support and with the guys we have, I do believe we can qualify for a World Cup. We need a coach that understands the culture we have, with players coming back in two, three days before a game. Dwight was the ideal choice for us and he understands the culture of teams in Concacaf as well,” Edwards noted.

“In terms of that professional to approach the game, I think Dwight really brings that to T&T football. I think this project for our executive and for Dwight is about qualifying for the World Cup. It’s qualifying for the World Cup or nothing. I am sure I know Dwight’s pride. He will not stay on with the TTFA or with any club if he has failed to live up to his high standards,” the TTFA president opined.

Beyond the on-field obligations Edwards said it will take an estimated US$4 million to ensure Yorke and his team has the best possible chance throughout their campaign.

“The government through the Ministry of Sport has been involved in every campaign. We truly believe qualifying for the World Cup, taking it to the back end of 2025 will take about US$4 million. When we relate the proposal, we are hoping to get 30-33 per cent from the government,” Edwards said.

Former Soca Warriors and Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke has been appointed Head Coach of Trinidad and Tobago's senior men's team.

According to Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards, Yorke's appointment marks a new chapter for football in the Twin Island Republic, as his primary focus will be on upcoming World Cup qualification efforts.

“With World Cup qualification in our sights, we’re thrilled to welcome Dwight Yorke as the new head coach of our men’s national team,” Edwards said in making the announcement on Friday.

“Dwight’s experience, leadership, and commitment to the red, white, and black are exactly what we need to inspire our players and our nation," he added.

Yorke expressed delight at the opportunity.

“I am proud and privileged to receive the honour of leading the Trinidad and Tobago national team. The opportunity to work with this talented, close-knit group of players is something I look forward to. Having helped Trinidad and Tobago to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2000, captained the side at the 2006 World Cup, and been assistant manager, my love and commitment to my national team are well documented,” Yorke declared.

“I saw firsthand as a player how working together to achieve our targets brought joy and united our country. I see that same ambition and desire at all levels of the current set-up. So I look forward to building on the work of someone who I played alongside with for a number of years from youth level right up to senior team, a good friend and former teammate, Angus Eve, and the current interim head coach, Derek King. As a player, I experienced some incredible moments in a Trinidad and Tobago shirt. With this squad, I hope they can continue as head coach,” he shared.

Yorke, one of the nation’s most celebrated football figures, brings his extensive international experience as both a player and leader in the sport to his new role. Known for his tactical insight, passion, and dedication, Yorke’s appointment aligns with the TTFA’s mission to elevate T&T football to new heights.

“Dwight’s journey from a standout player to a seasoned leader in football brings a unique vision that aligns with our ambitions. We are confident he will guide us forward with purpose and pride as we work to make Trinidad and Tobago’s presence felt on the world stage once again," Edwards noted.

Yorke’s tenure as head coach begins immediately, with plans to energize the team’s training and development in preparation for the rigors of international competition. As the TTFA continues its commitment to advancing football standards in Trinidad and Tobago, Yorke’s leadership is anticipated to bring new energy and dedication to the national team.

He was captain of the Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup squad during an illustrious playing career that saw him enjoy playing spells at Manchester United, Aston Villa, Birmingham City, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers, and Sydney FC.

Yorke also served as head coach of Australian Premier Club Macarthur FC most recently and assistant coach at Sunderland for a brief period in 2008/2009. He also served as assistant coach of T&T in 2009.

On 25 May 2022, Yorke managed the Australian A-League All Stars in their 3–2 loss to a star-studded Barcelona.

Former Trinidad and Tobago stalwart turned coach Dwight Yorke, and Derek King, are on a shortlist of five coaches vying for the senior Soca Warriors Head coach job.

The revelation was made by Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards, who revealed that the five-person shortlist was narrowed down from over 400 candidates ranging from the Twin Island Republic, as well as North, Central, and South America, and Europe.

King, the current interim head coach was appointed following the dismissal of Angus Eve, to whom he was an assistant. However, King’s chances of assuming the role on a permanent basis might be slim, given the team’s recent Concacaf Nations League run in which they struggled to secure League A status under his guidance.

Their lone win of the campaign was a 3-1 scoreline over Cuba in their final Group B contest at the Dwight Yorke Stadium.

While Edwards was impressed with the energy shown in that game, he quickly pointed out that a new coach, to be named by the end of this month, will be critical to meet new strategy set to be implemented by TTFA in 2025 ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers resumption.

“I want to assure you that both Dwight Yorke and Derek King are two of the five that we’re looking at. I think with the work that Derek has done for the last two FIFA windows, especially this last window. We know that the first window was tough for him to instill his idea in the guys, but we saw a glimpse of it in the Honduras game, during the first 30 minutes or even the first half,” Edwards told Guardian Media Sports.

“I think Derek has proven himself worthy for the position, and of course, Dwight is there and thereabout, and there are a few others who I would not name at this time. I think those two are names that the country is expecting to be there, so I am allowing that to happen, plus we’re working with agents and managers of other coaches right now to have some discussions, and hopefully by the end of the weekend we can conclude those discussions,” he added.

Yorke, who had a successful stint as a coach at Macarthur FC in the Australian A-League in 2022, also applied for the Jamaican senior Reggae Boyz top job, but was overlooked.

The former Manchester United striker is now being considered the overwhelming choice among the local football fraternity. 

However, Edwards explained that the affordability of a proposed salary packages would be crucial to the selection of the new coach and his staff. Additionally, that new coach will also have the option to decide on international friendly encounters during the coming FIFA window.

“We have about five people we’re looking at in terms of options who fit the bill of the campaign that we’re looking at for the style of football that we want to play. And not just the campaign, but also it would lend to the association in terms of our development,” Edwards said.

“So it’s important because we have a new strategic plan that we’re rolling out early in 2025, and the coach would have to be part of that in terms of keeping our national teams engaged and so on,” he noted. 

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has announced that Derek King has been appointed as the Caretaker Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Men's Senior Team. King will step into the role immediately following the departure of Angus Eve late last month.

King's appointment comes at a crucial time as the team prepares for the upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches in September against Honduras and French Guiana. With his extensive experience and deep understanding of Trinidad and Tobago football, King is well-positioned to lead the team during this transition period, the TTFA said in a statement on Tuesday.

Having served as assistant coach under the outgoing Head Coach Angus Eve, King has been an integral part of the senior team setup. His familiarity with the players and the team's dynamics will be invaluable as he takes on this new responsibility.

In addition to his recent role, King boasts an impressive track record as a coach. As Assistant Coach to Stephen Hart, he helped guide Trinidad and Tobago to successive Gold Cup quarterfinal appearances in 2013 and 2015 and achieved a FIFA ranking of 49th in the world. King first took on the role of Assistant Coach in 2012.

King's coaching prowess is also evident from his leadership of the National Under-20 Men's Team to victory in the 2014 Caribbean Championship, showcasing his ability to guide and develop young talent.

Upon his appointment, King expressed his honor and readiness to lead the national team. "I am honoured to take on this responsibility and lead our national team during this important time," King stated. "Our immediate focus is on the upcoming Nations League matches, and I am confident that with good planning, hard work, and dedication, we can achieve positive results. I look forward to working closely with the players and staff to ensure we get the results and performances we all desire."

The TTFA is confident in King's ability to steer the team towards success in these important matches while the search for a new full-time head coach continues. The association extends its best wishes to Derek King and the Men's Senior Team as they embark on this new chapter.

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) executive is now on the hunt for a new head coach to pilot their senior men's national team after parting ways with Angus Eve.

This move may come as a surprise to many, as the TTFA, while under the watch of a Normalisation Committee, extended Eve's stay in September 2023 to March 2024, but later pushed it further to 2025.

Eve, 52, was appointed head coach in September 2021 after taking over on an interim basis from Terry Fenwick in February 2021.

"We sincerely thank Coach Eve for his dedication, hard work, and contributions to our football program. His commitment and passion for the game have been greatly appreciated," the TTFA stated in a media release.

"Moving forward, the TTFA will commence the search for a new head coach who can lead our national team to greater heights. Our focus is firmly set on the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. We recognize the importance of having a clear pathway for qualification, which requires the full support of the government, private sector, and citizens," the release added.

The TTFA stressed its dedication to fostering a strong and vibrant football culture in Trinidad and Tobago, adding that it is committed to enhancing the football infrastructure, developing youth programs, and ensuring competitive performance at all levels.

"Achieving our goals will require a total buy-in from corporate entities, government bodies, and the general public," the media release declared.

"We reaffirm our commitment to the overall development of football in our nation and will continue to work diligently towards creating opportunities and providing the necessary resources for our players, coaches, and supporters," it ended.

The TTFA thanked Eve for his service and contribution and wished him well on his future endeavors.

Richard Hood is left peeved by the fact that the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has advertised the senior women's Head coach position without any line of communication where his future with the programme is concerned.

Hood, whose contract ended on June 30, said he received no word from the TTFA, who posted adverts seeking candidates to fill the Head coach positions for its women's team, as well as the Under-20 and Under-23 men's teams.

Robert Hadad, chairman of the Normalisation Committee, expressed satisfaction with the way in which they steered the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA), and is now happy that they turned over the reins to newly-elected president Kieron Edwards and his administration.

Hadad, who was on hand when Edwards and his Team Progressive topped Colin Wharfe 38-19 at the recent TTFA's elections and Extraordinary Congress in Couva, is now delighted to move on with his personal life, having done enough for football in the twin island republic for the past four years.

Edward's administration is the first self-governed TTFA in more than four years. This as William Wallace's administration was removed months after being elected in November 2019, as FIFA intervened and installed the Hadad-chaired Normalisation Committee in March 2020, citing financial concerns.

Trinidad and Tobago's Football Association (TTFA) recently took a step closer to a return to self-governance when members voted unanimously in favour of revising statutes to its constitution, as stipulated by FIFA.

The revision took place during an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) hosted by TTFA at the Home of Football in Couva.

Revision of the existing constitution was mandated by FIFA in order to effectively dissolve the TTFA’s normalisation committee, which was installed in March 2020 to replace the elected executive, led by William Wallace.

With this latest development, the highly anticipated election to install a new TTFA executive will take place before March 31, when the normalisation committee’s tenure ends.

All 30 eligible members voted in favour of the changes at the meeting, where FIFA and Concacaf officials observed. The recent EGM was arranged after FIFA declared that the proposed TTFA statutes “(fully comply) with the requirements and standards of FIFA and Concacaf,” and are therefore endorsed by both.

The elected administration was controversially taken over by FIFA after the world governing body said it observed “grave violations of FIFA statutes,” and other problems within the TTFA, such as debts, which put it at risk of insolvency.

As such, the normalisation committee was installed by FIFA primarily to run day-to-day business; settle debts; make recommendations for constitutional amendments to align with FIFA statutes; and to call the TTFA elections, of which it would oversee.

TTFA general secretary Amiel Mohammed said a copy of the new statutes “will probably be published on (TTFA’s) website this week.”

“There are many provisions (to assist) in ensuring there is accountability and prudent financial governance as per policies, controls and signing authority,” Mohammed told T&T Newsday.

The voting structure has been amended and slate elections have been introduced. The executive committee will consist of nine members.

T&T Premier Football League Tier One clubs (maximum of 12) have a delegate and two votes each, along with the top six clubs from the second tier at the end of the most recent campaign.

Each of the regional associations and T&T Women’s League Football also have two votes and a delegate, while the remaining associations: beach soccer, futsal, referees, coaches, Secondary Schools Football League, Primary Schools Football League and the Veterans Football Foundation of T&T, all have one vote and delegate.

 The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has announced that it has extended Angus Eve's tenure as the Head Coach of the Senior Men's National Team until March 2024.

Following Eve’s instrumental role in leading the team to a well-deserved promotion to League A in the Concacaf Nations League, he is now poised to guide the team through their upcoming challenges. On September 7, 2023, the team will face off against Curacao at the iconic Hasely Crawford Stadium. Subsequently, they will embark on a journey to clash with El Salvador on September 10, 2023.

Reflecting on this extension, Robert Hadad, Chairman of the Normalization Committee, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "Angus has injected the role with unwavering stability, exceptional quality, and a profound sense of belief, all of which have resonated within the team."

He further added, "Throughout the journey, we've confronted various challenges as a united force, and it is our firm conviction that Angus is the ideal individual, embodying the right character, to lead us confidently into League A."

Eve himself shared his thoughts on this honor, stating, "Continuing to serve my country and contribute positively in this capacity is an immense privilege."

In conjunction with Eve's contract extension, the TTFA has initiated the formation of a Technical Advisory Panel, which will play a pivotal role in supporting Eve. The identities of the members comprising this panel will be conclusively determined and subsequently unveiled within the upcoming days.

Richard Hood is once again the man charged with moving Trinidad and Tobago’s senior women’s football programme forward, as he was recently appointed Head coach for a second time by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).

Hood was deemed best fit for the post by a selection panel, which had to sieve through 151 applicants.

The selection panel which comprised TTFA’s technical director, Anton Corneal, Jinelle James, director women’s football, former national player Steve David and Ken Butcher, former minister of sport and youth affairs and sport director at UTT, initially narrowed the list to 30 and then to 14, before Hood and two others were interviewed. 

Hood’s duties began with immediate effect, with his backroom staff which will include critical expertise in the area of performance and video analysis, to be named in short order. 

“I would like to thank the NC for having faith in me as well as the interviewing committee for recommending me for the position. I am deeply humbled and appreciative,” Hood told TTFA media.

“Of course, it’s always an honour and privilege to represent Trinidad and Tobago, particularly at the senior level. We have a very challenging passage into the 2024 Gold Cup but it’s not one that’s insurmountable. I am keen to start the process as quickly as possible because we have a very short preparation time before the first assignment in September,” he added.

Hood is no stranger to the position as he once guided T&T to the quarter finals of the Pan American Games in 2011 and Concacaf Olympic Qualifiers in 2016. He also served as head coach of the Under-20 team in 2020, at the Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Championship, and was assistant coach of the Under-17 team for the 2010 FIFA Women’s Under-17 World Cup when the twin island republic played host.

 “My immediate task is to establish the availability of players and I’ve already made several contacts in that regard. So, I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and will approach same with tremendous enthusiasm and optimism and god’s willing, we will succeed in our task,” Hood noted.

Technical Director Corneal explained the reason behind Hood’s appointment.

“Mr. Richard Hood demonstrated during his interview and application, the necessary areas of expertise for the position. He also possesses the required experience coaching national women teams and understands the women’s competition in our region,” Corneal shared.

Hood’s first assignment in competition will be qualifiers for the Concacaf Women’s Gold Cup. The qualifying tournament will take place during the Fifa women’s international match windows in September, October, and November, and will include 35 Concacaf nations divided into three leagues. T&T will play in Group A of League A alongside Mexico and Puerto Rico. They will open away to Mexico on September 26, before contesting the return leg on October 27, after which they will visit Puerto Rico on December 1 and again at home on December 5.

After 90 group stage matches, which include home and away play within each league and group, the top finishers in each of the League A groups (three teams) will qualify for the 2024 Women’s Gold Cup Group Stage. Furthermore, the second-place finishers in each of the League A groups (three teams) and the first-place finishers in each of the League B groups (three teams) will advance to the 2024 Gold Cup Preliminary round.

Canada-born defender Luke Singh is set to make his international debut for Trinidad and Tobago after being drafted as replacement for Daniel Phillips for the Concacaf Gold Cup, which gets underway on Saturday.

The Soca Warriors, who will bow into Group A action on Sunday against first-timer St Kitts and Nevis at the DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, lost the Scottish-based Phillips to an injury, which dealt somewhat of a blow to Angus Eve's squad that only includes two out and out strikers in Kadeem Corbin and Malcolm Shaw.

It is understood that Reports indicate Phillips, a midfielder, who represents Scottish Premiership outfit St Johnstone, sustained a Grade one quadriceps injury during the second half of the Soca Warriors practice match against Haiti recently and will be out of action for approximately three weeks.

As such, the 22-year-old Singh, who is currently on loan with Canadian Premier League club Atletico Ottawa from Toronto FC, found favour with the coaching staff and joined the team on Thursday with expectations high that the towering defender, standing over six-foot tall, will add value to the Soca Warriors charge.

Trinidad and Tobago will start favourites for Sunday's fixtures scheduled for 2:30pm, having defeated St Kitts and Nevis 2-0 in their lone meeting during the World Cup qualifiers in 2021.

Their group also includes reigning seven-time champion United States and title aspirants Jamaica, who will lock horns on Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago at 8:30pm.

The twin island republic secured their spot in this year’s tournament after initial qualifiers Nicaragua, was booted for using an ineligible player during their 1-1 Nations League stalemate, which aided the qualification process.

Trinidad and Tobago squad: Marvin Phillip, Denzil Smith, Nicklaus Frenderup, Aubrey David, Sheldon Bateau, Luke Singh, Leland Archer, Kareem Moses, Shannon Gomez, Alvin Jones, Triston Hodge, Joevin Jones, Ryan Telfer, Ajani Fortune, Kevin Molino, Real Gill, Neveal Hackshaw, Andre Rampersad, Kaile Auvray, Molik Khan, Kadeem Corbin, Levi Garcia, Malcolm Shaw