Beyond that, we also need to accept that Trinidad and Tobago football is no longer dominant in the Caribbean. The era of our seven CFU titles is now long gone - and at all levels. The current failure to even beat - never mind dominate - CFU teams has a lot to do with the mentality of our players. Many of don't like to hear this and rush to condemn ONLY the coach whose team struggles in CFU tournaments, but the players MUST bear responsibility as well.
Football is generally a cyclical thing brother, but i can see where you are coming from. Costa Rica's football is now emerging from a period where they have pretty much played second fiddle to Honduras in the past 4 years (failing to won the UNCAF cup and more importantly fialing to advanec to the world cup 2010). They are slowly emerging now to retake their position as firm #3 in CONCACAF.
As far as T&T football goes:- yes, T&T used to be dominant in the region, mainly at a time when many countries, including Jamaica paid little attention to football, due mainly to Administrators who lacked vision. Jack Warner's rise up the ladder in FIFA also created some intangibles for T&T during those days. Many here will continue to lambast Warner, rightfully so, but he also brought something to the table, which is no longer there. In Jamaica's case, Horace Burrell is a key player in our football, and i dare say unless we find suitable replacement for him when he leaves the scene, Jamaica's football will go right back to where it was in the 80s.
The success of any football program is started and maintained by the Administraors. The coach and players are the important raw material that is used to build the finished product. To create a sustainable football program, you need all the above ingredients. You can get to the world cup by share luck with a good coach and good enough players, but to do it conistently the administrators must be on their A game all the time.
Was Jack Warner a good administrator, but at the same time had an insatiable crave for $$, that eventually cast a shaddow over his administrative skills? Was Warners contribution to T&T and regional football greater than we all care to acknowledge? Is it coincidence that with him no longer in the picture, T&T got knocked out of the world cup by, of all teams, Guyana?
This debate about local vs foreigh coaches should be put to rest now. Less focus needs to be placed on the coaches, and more emphasis placed on the overall football administration, including technical director and federation executives and overall natiopnal football program. If they players are nt good enough, the entire system will fail, each entity plays an important part in the whole thing.
Culturally, caribbean teams are at a disadvantage, given the dominance of cricket in the region. In an ideal world, the football federation is self sustaining, without reliance on the state for handouts to carry out its cire functions. For instance, Pfister might be a good candidate for T&T coach for teh next couple years....and the TTFF might see it that way....but it is ultimately the minister of sport who will dtermine wether or not he stays on (they are the one paying 100% of his salary). So its a case of a government minister indirectly didctating the football program.
