CHANGE WAS NEEDED: TTFA president Kieron Edwards
CHANGE WAS NEEDED: TTFA president Kieron Edwards
“It’s qualifying for the World Cup or nothing.”
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association president Kieron Edwards said that was the driving force behind the move to replace Angus Eve with Dwight Yorke as senior national men’s team head coach.
“It’s not just about selecting a coach. It is about the process, the journey and qualifying to the World Cup,” Edwards said during an interview on I95.5 FM on Saturday.
Edwards, who was elected TTFA president in April, said getting to the World Cup is the medium-term goal and that the new TTFA executive felt there needed to be a change 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,” said Edwards.
“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.” he continued.
Of Angus Eve, who he described as having a “personal (good) relationship” with, Edwards said: “We had a discussion about it and he understood the process and the reasoning why we wanted to change course. It is not that he is a bad coach, it is just we wanted to go in a different direction.”
Edwards is also backing the current crop of T&T players to get the job done.
“With the right support and with the guys we have, I do believe we can qualify for a World Cup,” he said. “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 continued.
“In terms of that professional to approach the game, I think Dwight really brings that to T&T football,” he added. He said Yorke will have a two-year contract and that “qualification will come into it.”
“We have that in our agreement. 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,” said Edwards.
In terms of the World Cup campaign for 2026, the TTFA president estimates a cost of US$4 million.
“The government through the Ministry of Sport has been involved in every campaign. We have a meeting carded for Monday to discuss other developments with football, (like) league football,” said Edwards.
“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,” he added.
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