Lawrence refuses terms of TT job

It appears though that former TT defender Dennis Lawrence is no longer an option as he has removed himself from contention a day after it appeared he was chosen as the candidate for the job. Fresh clauses inserted in the contract offered to him were deemed unacceptable to the former Everton first-team development coach.

A TT FA press release yesterday said, “The TT FA has noted the large public interest in the selection of our new national senior men’s coach and we wish to assure our supporters and stakeholders, the TT FA technical committee is working assiduously to complete the current process, to ensure the most appropriate selection, in the best interest of the national senior men’s team programme and our ongoing 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.” According to football website wired868.com the clause in Lawrence’s contract was altered which led to Lawrence having a change of heart. Mike Berry, Lawrence’s agent told the local website, “On Wednesday night, we agreed in principle (over the phone) the basic terms (of the job) which is salary, length of contract, bonuses and so on. It was all systems go.” As far as Lawrence’s team was concerned, it was already a done deal and they only asked the board to give them some time so Lawrence could resign from his two-year contract as Belgium national senior team scout where he is working with ex-Everton manager Roberto Martinez.

But his resignation had to be retracted after new clauses in the contract emerged.

“There were clauses that I never came across before in my 20-odd years as an agent,” said Berry. The two clauses that stood out, according to Berry, were that Lawrence could be terminated if TT : (a) did not have a 40 percent success rate on a presumed annual basis; or (b) suffered a six-point drop in the FIFA rankings.

“So if, God forbid, we (TT ) lose against Panama and Mexico (in World Cup qualifiers in March) and we drop six points in the FIFA rankings as a result,” said Berry, “then his contract can be terminated at four months notice! Now bear in mind, Dennis has a two-year contract in Belgium.

Those clauses were unacceptable.” Berry added, “And not only were they in the termination section but they were under the heading of gross misconduct. So if he was sacked for one of those clauses, he would not only be sacked for non-performance but for gross conduct. That could destroy his career. How could he sign that?!” Interestingly, another main contender for the TT coaching job, Stuart Charles Fevrier, coach of W Connection, wished Lawrence the best in his new job yesterday afternoon while speaking to CNMG prior to his team’s Pro League game.

It is not clear whether the TT FA and Lawrence’s team have thrashed out their differences regarding the terms of the contract being offered.

The other candidates that were in the running for the TT job are Englishman Terry Fenwick, Colombian Francisco Maturana and former TT midfielder Russell Latapy.

Fevrier was reportedly recommended initially by the TT FA technical committee.