Ross Russell Thread

[Tiresais]

He's a top bloke - met him both times I was in the country. He has Trini football in his heart and knows the value of professional preparation. Excellent appointment imo

[amielisadore]

Central sack Russell; Sancho fires coach after North East Stars loss

Former Defence Force coach and two-time Pro League champion, Ross Russell, lasted just under five months as head coach at Central FC.

Wired868 understands Russell, a former Trinidad and Tobago stand-out goalkeeper and national youth team coach, was fired within an hour of last night’s 1-0 Pro League defeat to Jap’s North East Stars at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain.

The result saw Central slip to fifth place in the 10-team table, although they are just three points shy of leaders, Defence Force. The Central-Stars clash was the second game of a double header, as Makesi Lewis grabbed a hattrick, earlier yesterday evening, in Police FC’s 6-1 mauling of St Ann’s Rangers at the same venue.

Russell bid farewell to his coaching staff at around midnight yesterday via a What’s App message which read: “Misters thanks for everything. It was nice working with u all and all the best for the rest of the season.”

Russell was Central’s first local head coach as the club started off with Englishman Graham Rix and had two spells with former England World Cup player Terry Fenwick on either side of a stint with former Yugoslav National Under-23 international, Zoran Vranes.

This morning, Central operations director Kevin Harrison allegedly told the players that Russell was fired last night and would be replaced, in the interim, by assistant coach Dale Saunders.

Bizarrely, Russell was sacked just one day after being named the Pro League’s Coach of the Month for October. But the decision was not a complete surprise as, at the start of the week, Russell was supposedly given until Saturday to “fix the mess” by Central chairman Brent Sancho.

Sancho’s warning came after Central’s first league defeat of the season against Play Whe San Juan Jabloteh on Friday December 11, although the “Couva Sharks” failed to land either the First Citizens Cup or Toyota Classic trophies. Both titles were both secured by Central’s bitter Couva rival, DIRECTV W Connection.

Russell did not make it past Wednesday, as Sancho and Harrison decided to go for the club’s sixth coaching change in just three and a half seasons.

Central captain and Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams said he was sad to see Russell go but lamented the team’s recent form.

“On any level of football, they judge the coach based on the results,” Williams told Wired868, “and I can’t recall the last time playing with Central FC (that) we lost two or three games in a row. The board made the decision based on that and it is their club.

Gabriel returned the favour by helping restore Sancho to the helm of the Pro League club, after his defeat in the polls at the September 7 general elections.
“We, as players, can only try to support the coach and we did the best we could while he was here. We wish him all the best in the future because we know he is a good coach.”

Ironically, the goal that sealed Russell’s fate came from within his own ranks.

Central left back Kevon Villaroel hooked the ball into his own net in the 43rd minute, after a dangerous low cross from Stars midfielder Neil Mitchell provoked a panicked reaction from the Sharks backline.

Just three minutes earlier, it took a goalline clearance to keep out the Stars, as attacker Keron “Ball Pest” Cummings ran on to an Alonzo Adlam cross and dribbled past the Central custodian, Williams, only to be be denied by alert defender Akeem “Battery” Benjamin.

But those moment of incisive play from Stars were rare.

North East Stars coach Roland Clarke might have been playing under pressure himself, after successive defeats to W Connection and Morvant Caledonia United.

Yesterday, Clarke’s troops were more energetic and compact and kept the ball better. But Central created sufficient chances to win the game comfortably.

Trinidad and Tobago international striker Willis Plaza volleyed overbar from just six yards, after a cross from Jason Marcano in the 32nd minute.

And, in the second half, Stars goalkeeper Shane Mattis came to the fore, as he fended away a Marcano effort at his near post in the 60th minute and pulled off a miraculous point blank double save from Plaza in the 82nd minute, before defender Jesus Perez scrambled clear.

Two minutes later, Central substitute Kadeem Corbin, who made his debut last night after being sacked by St Ann’s Rangers, whipped in a right side cross that produced a thumping half-volley from Marcano and another cracking Plaza strike.

Mattis saved the first effort; the second rebounded off the upright.

And Russell was out of a job.

As the minutes ticked away and Russell threw substitutes Darren “Chucky” Mitchell, Nicholas Dillon and Corbin on to hunt for an equaliser, Central’s vocal supporters pointedly began singing a ditty to former coach, Vranes.

At least one member of the Central technical staff looked over his shoulder as the loud singing drifted out on to the field, where the players were fighting for their coach’s future.

“Zoran Vran-esh… He’s from Serbia. His team will murder yuh!”

Harrison, as always, stood alongside the “Central Choir.” It was, arguably, an uncouth parting shot for the soon-to-be departed Russell.

In March 2015, Vranes, who was in the stands last night, had Central atop the Pro League standings when he was replaced as head coach by Fenwick, who returned for his second stint in charge.

Harrison said then that Fenwick was a better fit.

“We are in the last furlong now and the results haven’t been spectacular,” Harrison told Wired868 at the time. “At the end of the day, the (Central) board did say the team was top of the league and doing quite well but it was more about getting the pieces in the right places.”

Fenwick and the Central pair of Sancho and Harrison have clashed bitterly since then, particularly during the duo’s stint at the Ministry of Sport. And, with a reconciliation unlikely, Vranes, who won the 2014 First Citizens Cup with Central, is considered an early favourite for the vacant post.

Russell, who won two Pro League titles with Defence Force, leaves Central without a trophy—barring the exhibition Digital Charity Shield affair—after his team fell 2-1 to Connection in First Citizens Cup final.

Central will be under new management again soon.

(Teams)

North East Stars (4-2-3-1): 1.Shane Mattis (GK); 25.Keryn Navarro (captain), 19.Glenton Wolffe, 4.Jesus Perez, 26.Carey Brown (8.Neveal Hackshaw 86), 24.Adrian Noel, 21.Neil Benjamin, 5.Alanzo Adlam (23.Brendon Figuera 69), 6.Duane Muckette, 10.Keron Cummings, 28.Dillon Jagasar (40.Jomoul Francois 80).

Unused substitutes: 22.Cleon John (GK), 14.Chike Sullivan, 27.Quincy Charles, 39.Taryk Sampson.

Coach: Roland Clarke

 

Central FC (4-2-3-1): 21.Jan-Michael Williams (GK); 5.Akeem Benjamin, 4.Andre Ettienne, 12.Jamal Jack, 24.Kevon Villaroel, 25.Elijah Manners (11.Darren Mitchell 70), 10.Marvin Oliver, 7.Jason Marcano, 99.Marcus Joseph (9.Kadeem Corbin 63), 8.Sean De Silva (14.Nicholas Dillon 77), 33.Willis Plaza.

Unused substitutes: 30.Akel Clarke (GK), 6.Kerry Baptiste, 15.Kaydion Gabriel, 26.Jem Gordon.

Coach: Ross Russell

 

Referee: Gordon Maloney

Man of the match: Shane Mattis (North East Stars)

Photo: Former San Juan Jabloteh goalkeeper Shane Mattis saves a penalty kick from Point Fortin Civic captain Andre Ettienne during the 2014 Toyota Classic final. Mattis, who is also a former Central FC custodian, joined North East Stars for the 2015/16 season. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Former San Juan Jabloteh goalkeeper Shane Mattis saves a penalty kick from Point Fortin Civic captain Andre Ettienne during the 2014 Toyota Classic final.
Mattis, who is also a former Central FC custodian, joined North East Stars for the 2015/16 season.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Pro League results

(Wednesday December 16)

St Ann’s Rangers 1 (Jelani Peters 5), Police FC 6 (Kareem Freitas 26, Christon Thomas 27, Makesi Lewis 29, 42, 70, Anton Hutchinson 71) at Hasely Crawford Stadium;

*—Red card: Anton Hutchinson (Police FC)

North East Stars 1 (Kevon Villaroel 43 OG), Central FC 0 at Hasely Crawford Stadium;

Photo: Police FC defender Anton Hutchinson (centre) reacts after a missed opportunity against San Juan Jabloteh in the 2014/15 Pro League season. (Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Photo: Police FC defender Anton Hutchinson (centre) reacts after a missed opportunity against San Juan Jabloteh in the 2014/15 Pro League season.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
Upcoming Pro League fixtures

(Friday December 18)

Club Sando v Police FC, 6 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

W Connection v San Juan Jabloteh, 8 pm, Ato Boldon Stadium;

(Saturday December 19)

Morvant Caledonia United v Central FC, 3.30 pm, Larry Gomes Stadium;

Defence Force v North East Stars, 4 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium;

St Ann’s Rangers v Point Fortin Civic, 6 pm, Hasely Crawford Stadium.

http://wired868.com/2015/12/17/central-sack-russell-sancho-fires-coach-after-north-east-stars-loss/

[palos]

Dah headline is a teef head yes.  I tort Ross was Mourinho assistant 

[Flex]

Ross Russell and Stuart Charles-Fevrier nab monthly The Fan Club Coach of the Month awards.
ttproleague.com.

Central FC head coach Ross Russell and his opposite number at rival club W Connection, Stuart Charles-Fevrier, were this week honoured as The Fan Club Coach of the Month for October and November, respectively.

Russell, who led the Couva Sharks to a 1-0 over W Connection in September in the season-opening Digicel Charity Shield, stood out in October with 4 wins in all competitions from 5 games.

Russell, who took charge of the defending Digicel Pro League champions in August, said, “It’s an honour to be Coach of the Month.”

Russell said hard work and being truthful to team and himself contributed to October’s form as well as the contribution of senior players Marvin Oliver, goalkeeper Jan-Michael Williams, Ataulla Guerra and Willis Plaza.

Ironically, W Connection, who were unbeaten during the month of October, snapped Central’s winning run by dethroning the Couva Sharks 2-1 in the final of the First Citizens Cup in the same month.

Fevrier later led Connection unbeaten again in November, registering 3 wins from four games in all competitions.

“It’s always a good feeling to get any award,” said Charles-Fevrier. “I am really pleased to be voted as Coach of the Month. It’s not something I think about when I work but if you are recognised for your work then it’s a great thing.

“My players have definitely contributed well. Their form individually and collectively played a major part. The rest of the staff as well because at W Connection we work as a team. This isn’t an award I’m accepting for myself.”

Charles-Fevrier, who also led the Savonetta Boys to this season’s Toyota Classic title, believes that the The Fan Club Coach of the Month award along with the two major titles captured this season will contribute in helping the confidence of his side for the rest of the season.

The Coach of the Month is chosen based on statistics and all round performance of the team as well as votes from the media.

Sports merchandise and apparel outlet store, The Fan Club, are currently in their second term of a two-year partnership with the TT Pro League and will honour each of the Coach of the Month this season a $1,000 voucher to be used at any of TFC branches located in Movie Towne (Port of Spain), Trincity and Gulf City Malls, and their newest location in Aboutique Mall in Port of Spain.

The Fan Club Coach of the Month

October

Ross Russell—Central FC

November

Stuart Charles-Fevrier—W Connection

[dreamer]

Not surprised

Russell is an inspirational leader, but I thought still a coach with a ways to go on the learning curve if yuh talking how to qualify for & perform at Concacaf club level.
Always thought it was a mistake getting rid of Vranes. A lowish-energy kinda guy, funny Serbian accent, no bling but he's been there with our World Cup youths and he eh stupid at all and already proved how to win, good with organizing defenses which are the local coach weaknesses. Good with youths. :oikes living in Trinidad after than painful traumatic Yugoslavian war. Asking price cheap. What more yuh want.
With tough budgets, the only locals who are tried and tested for this kinda high-stakes-get-us-the-results campaign, that we can afford in Trinidad, would be Vranes, Gally. Fenwick making style and playing hard ball with salary plus his bridges now supposedly burnt for good anyway.
Eve with some more exposure and courses will become a top coach but dah kinda pressure is too early for him now.
Answer for CFC: Vranes. Eat humble pie and call him back.

[amielisadore]

Not surprised

Russell is an inspirational leader, but I thought still a coach with a ways to go on the learning curve if yuh talking how to qualify for & perform at Concacaf club level.
Always thought it was a mistake getting rid of Vranes. A lowish-energy kinda guy, funny Serbian accent, no bling but he's been there with our World Cup youths and he eh stupid at all and already proved how to win, good with organizing defenses which are the local coach weaknesses. Good with youths. :oikes living in Trinidad after than painful traumatic Yugoslavian war. Asking price cheap. What more yuh want.
With tough budgets, the only locals who are tried and tested for this kinda high-stakes-get-us-the-results campaign, that we can afford in Trinidad, would be Vranes, Gally. Fenwick making style and playing hard ball with salary plus his bridges now supposedly burnt for good anyway.
Eve with some more exposure and courses will become a top coach but dah kinda pressure is too early for him now.
Answer for CFC: Vranes. Eat humble pie and call him back.

What would be considered to be a low asking price though? For Central and for a pro league coach general?

[dreamer]

Asking price ? That I don't know but the Caribbean, including Trinidad & Tobago, I consider a relatively low pay zone for the struggling industry of football and therefore it is more than just a shitty salary that is keeping some of these foreign born coaches here, especially after being employed in a cultural zone that has a history of exploitation, unprofessionalism, TTFA inspired verbal contracts etc.
All I can say is that I believe that Vranes, for whatever reason, one can never know, gives the impression that he would play less hardball than Fenwick in negotiating a contract. Not a good thing for him really. He is an adopted Trini and knows how to make results happen for the teams that he coaches.

[amielisadore]

Well Vranes has never stopped attending games. He is always there and is a likeable character. He definitely won't be as hard nosed in negotiations as with Fenwick but I don't see him accepting anything less than $20k a month. With all the uncertainty about subventions, don't know how feasible it might be assuming that amount of course.

[injunchile]

Mourinho  made 163 pounds a week, with that kind of money , one expects results. Curious as to what Russell was paid. Apples and Oranges, quite a misleading caption, actually I thought Russell was on the Chelsea coaching staff.

[Peong]

Just a little humour as they both left CFC.

[asylumseeker]

Well Vranes has never stopped attending games. He is always there and is a likeable character. He definitely won't be as hard nosed in negotiations as with Fenwick but I don't see him accepting anything less than $20k a month. With all the uncertainty about subventions, don't know how feasible it might be assuming that amount of course.

Update?

[amielisadore]

Haven't heard any updates or even targets so far. That sorta points to Vranes not being a target.

[asylumseeker]

Haven't heard any updates or even targets so far. That sorta points to Vranes not being a target.

If CFC looking fuh a foreign-based, ah know ah non-Trini, non-Caribbean who might find it interesting, depending on the budget.

[Flex]

Opponent to advocate: N/E Stars hires Ross Russell as head coach.
ttproleague.com.

North East Stars have made a surprising move this week, signing sacked Central FC coach, Ross Russell, at the Sangre Grande club’s coaching helm.

The 48-year-old Russell will serve as head coach, while Roland Clarke, who made his professional head coach debut at the start of the season, will return to his former duties as academy coach.

North East Stars, notorious for sudden coaching changings, made the “necessary change” following a board decision, according to team manager Maurice Eligon.

North East Stars once led the Digicel Pro League standings this season but are currently sixth on the 10-team ladder with 13 points after eight games. However they are only four points from leaders Defence Force, who hammered the Sangre Grande club 6-1 on December 19 in their final game before the Christmas break.

Ironically, it was Clarke’s side that hammered the proverbial nail in Russell’s sacking three days earlier.

A first half own-goal conceded by Central against North East Stars sealed Russell’s faith at the Couva Sharks.

Moments after the 1-0 loss—Central’s second consecutive defeat, Russell, a two-time league winning coach with Defence Force, was issued his marching orders by the Couva Sharks’ operations manager Kevin Harrison via a letter of dismissal.

“It’s a results game,” Harrison said this week. “But [the decision by the club to sack Russell] wasn’t purely down to the two games we lost. It was about the performance of the players… perhaps they weren’t giving him their all.

“We won seven trophies (four of them major titles) last season and already we have dropped the First Citizens Cup. We couldn’t risk carrying on that way.

“It just happens—sometimes a good coach comes into successful team and it just doesn’t work. We see it happening all the time in world football.

“We made the change while we still have time. While we want to win everything else on offer, our two major aims now, is to make sure and defend the Pro League and Caribbean Club Championship titles.”

Russell was the three-year-old Central's fourth coach when he took up the vacant post last August. But by December 16, five months into the club’s fourth year of existence, he became the fourth Central coach after former Arsenal and England player Graham Rix, Serbia-born former Trinidad and Tobago coach Zoran Vranes, and former Tottenham and England player Terry Fenwick to bite the dust, although it is believed the latter opted not to pursue contract renewal following his second stint.

Since Russell’s sacking, assistant coach Dale Saunders has been shifted into the role of interim head coach of Central with no immediate plan to find a high profile replacement according to Harrison.

In Sangre Grande however, Eligon said the decision to replace Clarke wasn’t based on results or performance. He said with Russell becoming available and the board having reviewed the club’s plans after four months into the season, the change was necessary in taking North East Stars forward.

Eligon, who said the club remains dedicated to giving local coaches the opportunity, added, “At the moment we are comfortable giving Ross a chance at the helm of our club and we will see how things will go.”

North East Stars will return to action on Friday night from 8 pm at the Hasely Crawford Stadium against San Juan Jabloteh.

[Sam]

Roland Clarke was doing a good job, now NE Stars f00cked.

[Tallman]

Ross Russell: Home of football hotel was a dream in my time
TTFA Media

Former Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper and current Men’s Senior Team goalkeeper coach Ross Russell says during his days wearing national colours he could have only dreamt about a facility where he could walk from his room straight onto the training pitch for residential training camps with the national team.

Russell was commenting on Thursday after a training session at the Ato Boldon Stadium as the senior men’s team continued its preparations for the Wales encounter on March 20th at the Racecourse.

“Back in my time it was different, we either had to come from home all the time or we would stay in a public hotel. We never had this kind of opportunity that the current bunch will have with the home of football where they can practically roll off their beds and walk onto the training pitch,” Russell told TTFA Media.

“I think it’s a great step for the association and local football, especially youth players.It was also a big surprise to see the development that has taken place on the sight because it’s only the other day I was able to see it. Teams will be more comfortable now and the coaches can plan their training camps and know exactly what they can do when it comes to preparing national teams for competitions in the future,” he said.

Russell stood in goal during the 1996 Concacaf Gold Cup where T&T scored to go 1-0 ahead through an Arnold Dwarika first half strike but lost 3-2 to the US and also lost 3-2 to El Salvador despite a second half double by Russell Latapy to level the scores at 2-2 in the second half.

“Now as the goalkeeper coach I am definitely looking forward to returning to the Gold Cup as a member of the coaching staff. It’s been great for me to be part of this effort. I have continued to learn and experience a lot,” he said.

“Going into the Wales game, it’s a big bite for Trinidad and Tobago because Wales is a big footballing country. We are training like a club team right now because most of the players are in offseason. We trained right through the Carnival season and that’s great for the players. I have two brilliant goalkeepers in Adrian Foncette and Marvin Phillip. I think they work hard everyday.

“We are doing research on past youth goalkeepers to see where they are now and to try and get them back on board. We have to start preparing for down the road. We are in good hands with Dennis because he does his homework

“It’s a also a great step for Dennis to get re-signed as head coach of the national team. I know the results in the past wasn’t what he would have wanted but he took over half way through it. Now is his time to really shine and I know the Gold Cup is a huge step for him. Me and the other coaches are supporting him one hundred percent and I think the association is helping him as well,” Russell said.

Russell experienced a health scare in 2014 when he was admitted to the West Shore Medical for observation and he was sidelined for a short period. Since then he has paid special emphasis on his physical being and has continued to serve local football.

“I have to praise the Lord for my return. It was a shock for my family and friends and even the Defence Force to see a healthy coach fall sick suddenly, it was really hard for me. It was seven of the worst days I ever had in my life not being able to cope with it,” he recalled.

“My family did a lot to help me through it. My kids were there. It was a long journey but they were with me everyday.  The football fraternity and the football association helped a lot by sending people to ensure I was alright.

“I was well taken care of by the Defence Force, they took care of all my bills. The football family really helped. Brian Williams and Kerry Jamerson did a lot to motivate me and keep me going. People like coach Shawn Cooper, Anton Corneal and the (Under 20) manager at the time Christo Gouveia, they were all with me along the way and they still check up on me today. Even Stern (John) still checks on my eating habits. He, Ansil Elcock and Arnold Dwarika were there with me. Dr Welch was there head and head with me. I couldn’t thank these people enough and now I am just thankful to be up and able to offer my services” Russell concluded.

[asylumseeker]

"I have two brilliant goalkeepers in Adrian Foncette and Marvin Phillip. I think they work hard everyday."

Game, set, match?

[Tallman]

"I have two brilliant goalkeepers in Adrian Foncette and Marvin Phillip. I think they work hard everyday."

Game, set, match?

Doh get meh started