RANDY WALDRUM has. been fired as coach of the Trinidad and Tobago women football. team, according to a story on the local sporting website Wired868.
He wrote, “I was notified (yesterday) morning by the president (of the TT Football Association David John-Williams) of his decision to not retain me moving forward. It’s very disappointing personally, as I had a four-year plan to continue the growth and development of women’s football for the next cycle building on all we accomplished during the last World Cup qualifiers.
“I have volunteered my time and was willing to continue to do. so in order to see the players get the opportunity they so dearly deserve,” he added.
“Since this decision (yesterday), I have been reflecting on some of the great strides this team made over the past year. In spite of all that was not given to us to compete and prepare properly, this group of young women showed heart and character that not many teams have.”
Waldrum led the team during their ill-fated 2015 FIFA Women’s. World Cup qualifiers - which ended with a 1-0 loss at home to Ecuador on December 2 2014, as well as last month’s friendly international against the United States. “I want to take this time to personally thank all the people of Trinidad and Tobago for your unwavering support of me and (son, and assistant coach) Ben.
We both fell in love with your country and you took us in with open arms, and for that I am so appreciative.” He also expressed his gratitude to John-Williams predecessor Raymond Tim Kee and former TTFA general secretary Sheldon Phillips “for the opportunity they presented me with. I think they saw the vision of where we could go with women’s football, so a sincere thank you to both.” He continued, “I want to thank the staff there in Trinidad and Tobago that I worked alongside, and to the staff here in the States that helped us in trying to reach our goals.
“To the players who have given both Ben and I a lifetime of great memories, I thank you the most.
We all went through some difficult times, but in spite of it all you guys remained committed to the dream of qualifying for a major tournament, and growing the women’s game I’m so proud of each and every one of you, and I hope you all continue to grow the game in some way there in Trinidad and Tobago.”