Beenhakker still to decide on T&T coaching job
By Gail Alexander
Soca Warriors’ coach Leo Beenhakker, who arrives in T&T today hopes to collect his Chaconia Medal Gold and his $1 million reward from the Government during his week-long stay.
And while he’s here, Beenhakker will hold final discussions with Warriors’ backer Jack Warner to cement whether he will coach the team in preparation for the 2010 World Cup, team manager Bruce Aanensen also said yesterday.
Warner was due home last night from Germany, following the conclusion of the World Cup series on Sunday.
He is expected to leave T&T by Friday—but not before announcing if Beenhakker will actually stay on with the Warriors.
During the recent homecoming celebration for the team, Prime Minister Patrick Manning had announced that Beehakker—though not a T&T national—will receive the Chaconia Gold and TT$1m cash for his work with the team.
Manning also invited Warner and Beenhakker to hold talks on sports development towards World Cup 2010 with the Government.
Yesterday, Aanansen said Beenhakker told him he would arrive in T&T tonight.
Aanensen added: “Mr Beenhakker is likely coming for final talks with Mr Warner on what his decision will be about continuing to coach the team. He may also have a meeting with the team.
“He didn’t have a chance to see them all after T&T’s last match in Germany, since they had to board the chartered flight immediately to come home for their congratulatory function.
“Mr Beenhakker has also asked me if it would be possible to make arrangements for him to receive his Chaconia medal from the Government during the week that he is here,” Aanensen said.
The request was communicated to Sports Minister Roger Boynes last week, Aanensen said.
“It’s now being put in the hands of Ms (Sandra) Marchak, the Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister who handled the issue with the Warriors previously,” Aanensen said.
“We know the Prime Minister—who also was involved in the initial issue—was out of T&T last week, so we’re waiting to hear if the presentation may be possible while Mr Beenhakker is here. Hopefully it will be.”
A Government spokesman said yesterday that no decision had yet been taken on whether the medal and cash reward would be presented to Beenhakker while he’s here this week.
They said the matter will have to go through several channels including President’s House, where arrangements would be made for award of the Chaconia Gold medal.
Yesterday, a secretary at President’s House said there had been no notification from the Government on the award issue.