‘Tallest’ named TT Men’s new head coach

Up until Friday, Lawrence seemed unlikely to accept the position as the head coach of the national team after some sudden changes in his contract disappointed the former national defender.

However, Lawrence and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) have come to an agreement, as the local football administration issued a press release yesterday saying Lawrence is the new head coach.

Attempts to contact TTFA president David John-Williams to get clarity on the length of Lawrence’s contract proved futile.

The national team have been without a head coach since Belgian Tom Saintfiet resigned from the position on January 11 citing a lack of support from the TTFA. Some of the other front runners considered for the job were St Lucian Stuart Charles-Fevrier, Englishman Terry Fenwick, Colombian Francisco Maturana and former TT midfielder Russell Latapy.

The TTFA statement dated January 21 said, “The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) is pleased to announce that Mr Dennis Lawrence has accepted the position of head coach of the men’s senior national team.

The TTFA has worked diligently to complete the selection process ahead of our intended next Monday (tomorrow) deadline, and this press release is now being made in order to quell further speculation and keep our stakeholders informed.

“Dennis will arrive in the country next week where he will hold a press conference and meet with members of the local football fraternity to determine the rest of his support staff.

The TTFA release quoted Lawrence as saying, “I feel very honoured and humbled by this opportunity and the confidence placed in me by the Association.

I have given my all for Trinidad and Tobago as a player and now relish this moment to contribute as head coach of the national team.

“Off course I am coming into a difficult situation and we have to take each game very seriously and put our best foot forward.

The experience I gained working under different coaches during my 89 international caps for TT, and my exposure in coaching has all helped to shape me. I intend to give my very best towards this national effort.” Since his playing career came to an end in 2010 Lawrence has worked as an assistant coach.

He first worked as an assistant coach at Wigan from 2010 to 2013, before accepting the same position at Everton from 2013 to 2016.

He most recently was a scout for the Belgium national team.

All coaching assignments were under Spaniard Roberto Martinez.

Lawrence’s first major goal will be getting favourable results against Mexico and Panama when the 2018 World Cup qualifiers resume in March.