RECESSION COACH

This as the TT Football Association (TTFA) head yesterday revealed it could not acquire the services of its first choice coach to replace Stephen Hart and instead had to settle for the cheaper choice of Tom Saintfeit as head coach for the TT men’s national football team. Belgian Saintfeit’s last coaching assignment was with the Bangladesh national team which is ranked 183rd out of 200 footballing nations, by world football governing body FIFA.

Saintfeit was officially unveiled as new head coach during a press conference at the Marriott Hotel in Port-of-Spain to replace Hart who was fired on November 24, after almost three and a half years on the job due to a string of disappointing results. The TTFA received applications from around the world but narrowed the list down to four before Saintfeit was chosen. TTFA first choice, Frenchman Philippe Troussier demanded too much money.

TTFA president David John-Williams stated, “He (Tom) was not our first choice for sure, but then he was also affordable as our second choice. Our first choice was way out of what we could afford and I make no apologies for saying that.” Saintfeit and Troussier have experience coaching at national level with both coaching many African countries.

Saintfiet, 43, became the youngest coach in Belgian club football at age 24. He moved on to numerous short stints at national senior level especially in Africa, coaching the likes of Namibia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Yemen, Malawi, Togo and most recently Bangladesh.

Troussier, 61, who has been coaching consistently since 1983, has led Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Japan, Morocco and Qatar during his coaching career. John-Williams made it clear that if Saintfiet does not get at least four points (a win and a draw) from TT’s next two World Cup qualifiers, he will be fired. “The reality is that if we don’t get four points come March...our campaign is virtually over (and) we have to start all over again,” John-Williams said. “He (Saintfeit) came highly recommended. He worked in difficult situations in Africa and we feel he can do the job for us. I will also tell you this that if he does not get the job done on the 24 and 28 of March he will be looking for a new job.” TT face Panama on March 24 and CONCACAF powerhouse Mexico on March 28, both at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Portof- Spain.

TT are currently fifth on the sixteam standings in the final round of World Cup qualifying in the CONCACAF region after losing their opening two matches. TT lost 2-0 at home to Costa Rica before travelling to Honduras where it fell 3-1.

Saintfeit said he was honoured to be named TT head coach as this country has a rich football history.

“I am pleased to be here. There were several candidates and TT is a football nation with huge reputation and history. I think a lot of coaches will be jealous that I am standing here.” Saintfeit expressed confidence that he will bring positive results. “I worked already with eight national teams sometimes in difficult situations. It is important to know that I never got fired by any federation where I worked. I worked many times in short term deals in difficult missions and most of the time, I brought good results.” Saintfeit believes TT can still qualify for the World Cup. He jokingly stated that March 29 is his birthday and with two pivotal World Cup qualifiers taking place shortly before, he is hoping to have a pleasant birthday. The Belgian coach plans to seek assistance from local coaches to get their opinions and ideas as Saintfeit believes qualifying for the World Cup will be a collective effort.

Members of the national team have been punished for a lack of discipline in recent months. The former coaching staff led by Hart punished three national players for breaking team camp to attend a party. Saintfeit said he will bring a professional attitude to the job.

“When you (the players) are selected you have to come here not on a holiday when you come from abroad.”