Warner bids to have Leo stay

Discussion will centre on the Dutchman’s future with the Soca Warriors after leading them to the World Cup Finals.

Warner, who was getting set to witness yesterday’s semi-final between Italy and the hosts said he was well aware of current interests in Beenhakker’s services.

And as such he was hoping to fast-track talks with the former Netherlands and Real Madrid coach with the hope of having him stay on.

“Leo flies in from Holland tonight to meet with me in Munich on Wednesday to hold final talks on coaching TT,” Warner said.

However Beenhakker is high on the list of coaches sought by the Australian football association after first choice Gerard Houllier of France seemed unwilling to break the final year of contract with French champions Olympique Lyon.

“The FFA has already opened discussions with Dutchman Leo Beenhakker, who guided Trinidad and Tobago to a commendable performance at the World Cup.

“Hiddink also offered several suggestions to the FFA before leaving Germany last week, while two coaches who resigned after their teams’ exit from the World Cup — Argentina’s Jose Pekerman and Japan’s Zico — could also be considered,” the Sydney Herald reported yesterday. On a Fox Soccer Channel panel discussion last week, analyst Bobby McMahon said Beenhakker was the best coach at the World Cup because of his ability to transform a team not billed with big league stars into a formidable outfit on the world stage.

Meantime, Warner, who has already given Beenhakker a vote of confidence, particularly towards South Africa 2010, has spoken of his admiration for France which he says possess a team of all ethnic backgrounds.

“The French team is a brilliant mix of the French society as it is today with players of all ethnic backgrounds, all religions, all classes,” Warner said.

“There are white players of metropolitan France like Sagnol and Barthez, Black French-West Indian born in the Caribbean or in the metropole like Henry, Gallas and Thuram.

“There are also some French players with African origin such as Patrick Vieira who was born in France after his parents moved from Senegal to France and his grandparents from Cape Verde to Senegal.

“This team represents the world, the history of our planet including the dark moments of French colonialism, but the team also represents who the French are today — a mix with problems but a melting pot which also produces integration.

“This team is a ‘Say no to Racism’ slogan by itself and a fitting representation of FIFA’s Anti racism slogan,” Warner added.