Latapy appointed Player/Coach of National Senior Team.

[Flex]

Latapy appointed Player/Coach of National Senior Team.
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation today announces the appointment of Mr Russell Latapy as Player/Coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Senior Team in the first instance for the two upcoming World Cup Qualifying Matches against Guatemala and United States in October.

Latapy, a former National Captain, will serve as Francisco Maturana’s Assistant and is carded to join the squad in the build up to the matches in Guatemala City on October 11 and Hasely Crawford Stadium on October 15.

The former FC Porto midfielder accepted the offer to return to the T&T team following initial talks with the TTFF earlier this month.

The TTFF at this point can also reveal that the team will play a friendly international in early October. And midfielder Chris Birchall and Dennis Lawrence have been confirmed as members of the squad for the upcoming matches. The TTFF can also confirm the availability of Sunderland midfielder Dwight Yorke for the upcoming World Cup Qualifying matches.

“We are pleased to have Mr Latapy on board with us for the next two qualifying matches in the first instance,” TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner told TTFF Media. “The two matches against Guatemala and USA are of utmost importance at this stage and we believe that Latapy’s role is an asset to the team and the Federation. We wish to welcome him and look forward to his involvement in our efforts to achieve the desired progress in our football.”

“We can also at this stage confirm the likes of Birchall, Dennis Lawrence and Dwight Yorke in the team for the upcoming matches The full squad, as selected and confirmed by the coaching staff will be revealed this coming week but I can assure you that we will give all attempts to ensure we have the best possible chance of achieving the results to continue our progress in the qualification for South Africa,” Warner added.

Latapy also expressed his feelings on the new call.

“I was delighted to get the call to come back and serve Trinidad and Tobago,” Latapy told TTFF Media on Sunday.

 “I’ve always said that I would do whatever might be necessary to help our football and being given the opportunity to come back and give the support is one I would not turn down. I will continue to give my support new role that has been offered to me. I am looking forward to working with everybody involved in the team and the football on a whole and hopefully we can achieve our desired goal.”

“Again I want to thank the Association for presenting this opportunity to me and like I said before, I would never turn down the chance to come and help the people… to help the country through football and I’m looking towards us working together to achieve the success that I believe we are capable of ,” Latapy stated.

 Falkirk manager John Hughes also spoke to the Scottish Press about Latapy’s appointment, adding “"Russell's a God over there and I'll never forget stepping off the plane on tour with Hibs a few years ago and seeing a brass band on the tarmac to greet the wee man coming home.

"He still has work to do here and there's no better player for our youngsters to learn from. Even if he's only playing for 20 or 30 minutes these days he can still unlock the door and as soon as he steps off the bench other managers shoot a look to say, 'Oh no, here he comes'."

The “Little Magician”  was also featured in The Scotsman on the weekend.

“But the flip side is the mercurial talent, the ability to seduce football fans with greater ease than he does the opposite sex. There is the healthy eating and the willingness to train. He is still an important member of the Falkirk side and has once again been recalled by Trinidad and Tobago, despite the fact he is now a 40-year-old.

"I think that proves I was not as bad as people thought. If I was as bad as some people believe I wouldn't be here. In fact I would probably be dead!” Latapy said.

"I have always liked the way that I chose to live and in some weird way it has kind of justified itself because I am still playing. I'm not saying it's the right way but I think I have always had a balance. I enjoy life but I have always worked hard. I wouldn't still be playing if I didn't."

Latapy , born 2 August 1968,  is a midfield player and first team coach for Falkirk in the Scottish Premier League. He has previously played for Hibernian, Glasgow Rangers, Dundee United, FC Porto, Academica and Boavista. He came out of international retirement to play for Trinidad and Tobago in the FIFA World Cup in Germany, coming on as a substitute in the second half  of the Paraguay vs. Trinidad and Tobago match.

This year Latapy along with  Dwight Yorke were voted among the top 50 foreign players to ever play professionally in Britain by popular football publication FourFourTwo. He became the first Trinidadian to appear in the European Champions' League during his second season in Portugal with FC Porto.

Following his announced retirement from the National Team in 2001, Russell, following the influence of his close pal Dwight Yorke and administrator Jack Warner, decided to make one final return to the Team and did so in fine fashion, scoring in T&T’s 3-2 win over Guatemala in World Cup qualifying action in September, 2005.

Some of Russell’s achievements include:

•    Scotland's Division 1 winner's medal with Falkirk in 2004/2005
•    Scotland's Division 1 Player of the Year in 2004/2005
•    Bell's Cup winner's medal with Falkirk in 2004
•    Nominated for the BBC Scotland “Off The Ball” Overseas Player of the Year in 2004
•    Bell's Player of the Month (for April) in 2004
•    Nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2000
•    Trinidad & Tobago Olympic Committee Sports Personality of the Year in 2000
•    Hibernian's Player of the Year in 1999/2000
•    Scotland's Division 1 Player of the Year in 1999/2000
•    Scotland's Division 1 winner's medal with Hibernian in 1999/2000
•    Hibernian's Player of the Year in 1998/1999
•    Portuguese Super Cup winner's medal with Boavista in 1996/1997
•    Cup of Portugal winner's medal with Boavista in 1996/1997
•    Portuguese SuperLiga winner's medal with FC Porto in 1995/1996
•    Portuguese SuperLiga winner's medal with FC Porto in 1994/1995
•    Trinidad & Tobago Chaconia Medal Silver (World Cup Squad) in 1989
•    Edinburgh Evening News Sports Personality of the Year in 1999
•    Trinidad & Tobago Footballer of the Year in 1996
•    Trinidad & Tobago Humming Bird Medal Gold (for Sport) in 1996
•    Trinidad & Tobago Footballer of the Year in 1989
•    Trinidad & Tobago Footballer of the Year in 1985
•    Trinidad & Tobago Footballer of the Year in 1983

[weary1969]

Ok FLEX Closer 2 believing it need 2 c him in Piarco

[Dumplingdinho]

Not surprised, very sad when we still need ah 20 minute sweat from ah 40 year old player but that is how it is.  Hopefully the younger guys can learn from being around latas.

[Cocorite]

Eee Ouu Ay, Check D danger Ohhh, Latapy in ah D area.

[vb]

Sad indeed that we need a 40 yr old to come and help out.

However, I cah help it...Latas coming back....and I happy and excited.
We need some much need flair in the middle.

VB

[rotatopoti3]

The return of Roger Milla-Latapy Style....will we be the Cameroon Concacaf team in South Africa....

[dinho]

oh gaaad oye... the plot thickens..

And I see Yorke is selected as well...

Well lemme get the ball rolling:


                      Phillip

Gray        Lawrence    Thomas     John
                         
                 Birchall     Yorke

Carlos            Whitley               Daniel  (Latapy 70th min)

                 Glenn/Jones

[Preacher]

WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! that is why I can't miss a day on here.  I miss 3 days and Latapy back in the mix.  WOW!!!!!
Ah going an read everybody post.

[Fyzoman]

YES!!!!!!
So dey couldn't do this before dey come Chicago so dat all meh American friend dem (and me of course) could see de Latas who jersey ah does be wearing....detractors could say what de hell dey want, I was present to witness de embarrasment at Toyota Park, so bring on de Wee Little Magician.
ummmm, Anton go still be around?

[Cocorite]

That Latapy can still hold his own in the middle of the pitch isn't necessarily sad. In fact it is a testimony of his abiding talent and abilities.

That T&T still NEED him is unfortunate yes.  

After the last campaign when TTFF & JW drop the ball with the Blacklist and their failure to keep the core of the Socawarriors while culling the best new talent, is more than sad--its criminal.

The current coach and his questionable selections and tactics is another story altogether.

Being a T&T fan we take the good with the bad

[tempo]

The Corneal Coup is ova. For all of JW's faults, blindness ain't one of them. "Yesterday was yesterday and today is today" at its finest. 

[giggsy11]

Step in a positive direction by utilizing his experience on and off the field.

[Cocorite]

What about Stern John???

[Bally]

All hail the king yes he’s back pancho days numbered I believe they offer him more than what they saying 

[weary1969]

Cocorite u ah so correck where d number 14

[dinho]

I've been advocating this move for latapy to join the coaching setup for a long time with a technical staff under him, but its a pity that he gets to take the reins at a time when qualification is in jeopardy.. I would have liked him to be in charge when he had calmer circumstances so that he could build a legacy..

Also, I'm not sure how his role intertwines with Maturana's.. Just the fact that the TTFF hurries to announce that Birchall will be back in the team tells me that Maturana got a dressing down after the US game about team selection and he is no longer solely pulling the strings (don't think he ever was).

I remember what Berris drop on us a while back about his half time speechlessness in the dressing room when we lost the Bermuda game and I compare that to the influence that a Latapy can have in the dressing room and in the mood of the camp. I hope this one comes off, but if it has the effect it can have this will be a master stroke..

Many questions left unanswered though..

Is Anton Corneal still an assistant coach?

Has Dwight Yorke officially come out of international retirement and is the Roy Keane issue resolved?

What about Stern John?

[dinho]

Cocorite u ah so correck where d number 14

weary now and then yuh must take ah time out and rejoice lil bit u know, how yuh like ah wet blanket so? lol

[just cool]

I must've missed something, BC i don't see no where in that article where it's stated that corneal was replaced by lattas. so don't jump the gun folks about corneal coup is over.

 jack warner he self is ah true to life buttom ! the man fork up the football for over ah year and ah half, and now when he see he his sponsership money in jeopardy, the same men who he called to old to carry on , is the same men he sending for to mop up the sh!t he left on the lilly white carpet.

jack warner sir , and ah mean this with no disrespect to you , why don't you do the right thing by T&T football and implement justice to the players of the game in T&T!

yuh dun have enough money sir, help the football to grow now nah man! is that too much to ask for from ah man who claim he love trinidad and tobago, and football.                                    positive.

[sub1]

The Corneal Coup is ova. For all of JW's faults, blindness ain't one of them. "Yesterday was yesterday and today is today" at its finest. 
[/quote 

Lets hope so. Although Anton's name was not mentioned, what was glaring is the fact that they went out of their way to assure the faithful that Birchall and Lawrence would be back. A direct indictment against the Corneals and Maturana. They have basically told Maturana that he would no longer be afforded the courtesy of naming the players. Lets see if he has any pride at all. If he has, he would walk away like a wounded dog.

[KND2]

So Pancho get Fired?

what latapy coming to do Play or coach?


Usualy the same tricks dont work twice, latapy save we on the field last time around not sure he could strike twice.

If he coming to coach the side in a long term appointment then it is a good move.

if he coming to sweat in the guatemala and USA we wasting time.

yes he better than the men we have now but the point is we have to build for the future,

He can do that from the coaching staff.

[daryn]

What about Stern John???

stern will get his chance 4 years from now: the next time we have an important qualifier against Guatemala.

[Babalawo]

Does this mean Anton got fired?  Please tell me so. 

[legal alien]

Cocorite u ah so correck where d number 14

weary now and then yuh must take ah time out and rejoice lil bit u know, how yuh like ah wet blanket so? lol

Yeah dread, when man like me celebrating yuh wah bring up something negative for the sake of it. Steups.

[weary1969]

Omar somebody need 2 b sober otherwise d farm will b sold. D dumbtist still around if Latas pull dis off he legacy go extend 2 d next generation

[Coop's]

  Boy this JW is ah boss,all Jack doing here is giving everybody what they want,at least it going to take the pressure of him and the TTFF for a while until we loose again,up to now those players eh get they money and he going to make more money than he made the last time,i wonder what agreement he making with those players this time,i'm sure Latapy eh getting nothing near the money Pacho getting,up to now i have not heard of Stern,i don't care what nobody says this all business because the crowds will be out in full force,Yorke/Latapy involved who missing that,Jack knows the Football public and how to play his game,i could just see him laughing,i personally feel after this one he will resign because i don't think he could catch Trini's again after this.   

[samo]

Great News... Congrats to Mr. Latapy...
Ah curious like Bablawo say, sh what happen to Anton??? He not even mentioned..... Not that ah missing him ah just curious...

[just cool]

Boy this JW is ah boss,all Jack doing here is giving everybody what they want,at least it going to take the pressure of him and the TTFF for a while until we loose again,up to now those players eh get they money and he going to make more money than he made the last time,i wonder what agreement he making with those players this time,i'm sure Latapy eh getting nothing near the money Pacho getting,up to now i have not heard of Stern,i don't care what nobody says this all business because the crowds will be out in full force,Yorke/Latapy involved who missing that,Jack knows the Football public and how to play his game,i could just see him laughing,i personally feel after this one he will resign because i don't think he could catch Trini's again after this.   

Yuh think!! trini's easier to catch than wabeen bro.

[D.H.W]

i confuse i this real am i seeing correct,  that thought it was a joke thread yes. Good news

[sammy]

Wow!!

hopefully we moving forward full steam ahead now

[Small Change]

Moving foward full stem in the "short-term". It's great he can be on the Coaching Staff of Trinidad and Tobago. He will be a great mentor for the youngsters. It's still a shame, that up to this point, we don't have a mid-fielder (s) that can really handle the scenes on the pitch. We have to resort to a 40 yr old, who may not last more than 30 mins on the pitch. Trinidad Football has gone 10 or 15 yrs backwards..................