Rijsbergen takes over reins

The agreement was reached following meetings with former coach Leo Beenhakker, TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner and General Secretary Richard Groden.

Rijsbergen, who served as assistant to Beenhakker during his tenure, will take up the position for the next four years with immediate effect.

The former Holland international will have Anton Corneal and fellow Dutchman Jan Van Deinsen as his assistants.

The TTFF stated yesterday that Beenhakker has agreed to coach Poland but will be available as a technical advisor to the Soca Warriors during this period.

He is expected to attend their matches and their participation in regional tournaments on a “need to do basis.”

The TTFF stated that they remain highly appreciative towards Beenhakker for his services towards the upliftment of the country’s football and for his guiding of the team to the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

“We also wish him the very best in his new role with the Polish FA,” a media release stated yesterday.

The TTFF also gave a history of the negotiations with Beenhakker to stay on with the Soca Warriors.

Two meetings were held with Coach Leo Beenhakker — one in Rotenburg, Germany on June 19 and the other in Munich on July 4.

Warner also met twice with Rijsbergen, both in Berlin, on July 7. Present at the meetings was Groden, General Secretary of the TTFF.

There were extensive discussions and by the end, the following decisions were arrived at:

Leo Beenhakker will accept the position of coach of the Polish national team for a period of two years in the first instance, effective from Tuesday July 11, 2006

During this period he will be available to work with Team Trinidad and Tobago as Technical Advisor and attend their matches and tournaments on a “need to do so basis.”

Following 2008, Leo and the TTFF will review his position relative to a continuation of the present arrangement; or a new contract relative to his full time and/or other services.

The TTFF also noted that Leo did not accept several top offers which were made to him including the offer to coach Australia.

Rijsbergen, the former assistant to Beenhakker in Trinidad and Tobago has agreed to accept the offer to coach Trinidad and Tobago for a period of four years, with immediate effect.

He has asked to be assisted by Anton Corneal and Dutchman Jan Van Deinsen, both of whom he has already held discussions with and obtained their acceptance.

Rijsbergen is to evaluate the work of the staff which worked with the Soca Warriors to determine whose services he shall need.

Notwithstanding this, he said he needs Joseph Sam Phillip to play an effective role in the management of the national team.

Relative to Trinidad and Tobago’s technical development, Rijsbergen made several proposals which were accepted by Groden and Warner on behalf of the TTFF.

The proposals are as follows:

Anton Corneal is to be the coach of Youth Development as well as assisting Rijsbergen in the coaching of the national team.

Deinsen will work with all national youth teams and will assist in the coaching of the national team.

After evaluation and by mutual agreement, the majority of the members of the present technical staff of the Soca Warriors will be retained.

The role of the Technical Director, Lincoln Phillips, to be confined to the development of coaches and goalkeepers using his knowledge in these areas.

In this regard, the entire Technical Department of the TTFF is to be reviewed as a matter of urgency.

Rijsbergen will be involved specifically in coaching a team for the Olympics as well as for World Cup 2010. He will also supervise the coaching of all national teams.

After holding discussions with Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke, Rijsbergen will find the best way to use their knowledge as role models for the youth and for the future of Trinidad and Tobago football in the following areas: Training camps; Training sessions;Any other.

Immediately, Rijsbergen will be developing a programme, in conjunction with others, for all youth teams, as it relates to: Training; Matches; Tournaments; Other; Tentative Plan 2006- 2010.