Latapy named as TT Under-17 football coach

At a media conference yesterday at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TT FA), announced that the 48-year-old has also been appointed as a staff coach for the other national youth teams and has agreed to a two-year contract with an option to extend. “I look forward to this task and I can guarantee everyone in this country that I’ll continue to do my best to make this country proud, and produce fantastic young players,” said Latapy, during the media briefing.

“So I look forward to this job and I thank, in advance, the Association, for all the support that I’ve gotten so far, and the continued support that I look forward to.” Latapy was recently embroiled in a court matter with the TT FA, concerning unpaid salaries during his 2009- 2011 stint as TT coach.

It was agreed last November that Latapy will be paid US$500,000 by the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs - half of the sum owed to him, with the balance to be made in instalments through the TT FA’s subvention. Latapy had filed legal action against the TT FA in October 2011 for the outstanding salaries as well as compensation for what he deemed as wrongful dismissal.

He withdrew his lawsuit against the local governing body in January 2014, after both parties agreed to an outof- court settlement, but filed action once again in December 2014, after the TT FA failed to honour the terms of the settlement.

Currrent TT FA boss David John-Williams, at the media briefing, commented, “Russell, despite what he’s been through with the TT FA, our discussions have been fruitful and I want to thank you for, not only applying, and coming out top in the interview, (but) for actually accepting the offer.

“I just want to add that Russell will go beyond being the Under- 17 coach.

We will have him as a staff coach in the youth programme so he can move along, especially with the grassroots programme,” John-Williams continued.

The national team will feature in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifying stage next month and Latapy, who formerly served as assistant coach of Scottish Premier League team Inverness CT, will have, as his assistant, ex-TT midfielder and former Point Fortin Civic coach Reynold Carrington.