TTFF eyeing Tigana, Gullit as ‘Warriors’ coach.
By Walter Alibey (Newsday).
The Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation is moving towards replacing Russell Latapy as coach of the “Soca Warriors.”
And according to a source close to the TTFF, an announcement as to the new coach will be made before Christmas.
Latapy has been under fire for his failure to guide the “Soca Warriors” to the World Cup in South Africa in June this year, and more recently for his inability to lead the team to the final of the Digicel Caribbean Cup.
At the recent Caribbean Cup, the “Soca Warriors” managed just one win, a 1-0 victory over Martinique in their three-match schedule.
The source said, the TTFF wish-list for the coaching job include ex-French World Cup star Jean Tigana and Dutch superstar Ruud Gullit who recently visited here.
He said both coaches have already been interviewed by the local football federation and a decision will be made soon.
“Latas” as he is affectionately called, was given until weekend to hand in a technical report on the “Soca Warriors’” poor showing in Martinique.
And the technical committee of the TTFF is expected to meet to discuss Latapy’s report and his future in local football.
In Martinique, the “Soca Warriors” were defeated 2-0 by Cuba in their opening match of the final round and later 1-0 by Grenada, before their slim victory.
According to the source, the TTFF are currently in the process of finalising which of Tigana or Gullit would be better suited for the job of development of local football and ensuring the country is returned to the position it once held in Caribbean and world football.
The source said, Tigana who recently took over from Raymond Domenech as coach of French Football giants Bordeaux, is the front-runner for the job.
Tigana played alongside Michele Platini during the 1986 quarter-final match between Brazil and France in the FIFA World Cup in Mexico.
He was also an influential member of the French team that won the European title in 1984 and reached the semi-finals at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, as well as successes as a coach with Lyon, Monaco and Fulham in England.
Gullit who was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1987 as well as World Soccer Player of the Year that same year and in 1989 has last managed the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer (MLS)
He made his mark at Italian Club AC Milan in the 1980s when he joined with teammates Marco Van Basten and Frank Rijkaard.
Contacted Oliver Camps, TTFF president denied these claims but admitted his federation will meet soon to discuss the way forward for TT football. He admitted that while his federation is in the process of appointing different committees soon after their AGM, he too is concerned about the state of local football.
He said, however, whoever is chosen for the coaching job will be someone that they can pay. Attempts to reach federation’s Special Advisor Jack Autin Warner, yesterday proved futile.
