Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation - TTFF

The Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has agreed to terms with former Real Madrid, Holland, and T&T National Team coach, Leo Beenhakker, who successfully guided the Soca Warriors through World Cup qualification and the final round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and former Canada National Team coach and technical director, Stephen Hart, who guided Canada to the semi final round of the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup, to join its ranks in time for the CONCACAF Gold Cup

Beenhakker will serve as the Director of Football and Hart will assume the role of Head Coach of the Senior National Men's Team.

As Director of Football, Beenhakker will be help shape the brand of TTFA national team programs, mentor and advise T&T national team coaches, and provide a long-term structure in the way TTFA national teams operate. Mr. Beenhakker will come to Trinidad to observe the Gold Cup pool and eventual squad at training camp and accompany the team to the U.S. as part of the T&T delegation.

Mr. Hart, who comes highly recommended by Mr. Beenhakker to fill the role as Head Coach, is a San Fernando, Trinidad native who began his playing career in T&T and built his post-playing career in Canada through the Canadian Soccer Association within the coaching and development ranks.

Hart earned praise for taking an unheralded Canada Team to the semi-final round in the 2011 Gold Cup and in 45 matches as Head Coach of Canada; he compiled a record of 20 wins, 10 draws, and 15 losses. Included in his record are wins against each of T&T’s upcoming Gold Cup first round opponents; El Salvador, Haiti, and Honduras.

Raymond Tim Kee, President of T&T comments:

"I have made it a point from the moment of my election as the President of this organization six months ago, to take this organization into a new direction to enable the public to fall in love with football once again. Enlisting the expertise of both Mr. Beenhakker and Mr. Hart marks a highpoint that will yield substantial long-term benefits for T&T football".

Hart will be contracted for two years and the TTFA is still engaged with Mr. Beenhakker in finalizing the length of his service, which will be longer than the two months period reported in earlier accounts by various outlets.

Hart has expressed a desire to retain former Head Coach, Hutson Charles, as well as a number of other current staff members and will meet with now former technical staff upon his arrival in Trinidad.

Stephen Hart, Head Coach of Trinidad and Tobago Senior Men’s National Team comments:

" I would like to make the transition as smooth as possible especially this close to the Gold Cup. I've had the opportunity to speak with Hutson and we are of the same accord in our approach to how the upcoming training camp will be organized."
Current plans are for Hart is to arrive in T&T before the June 23 training camp report date while Beenhakker will arrive in Trinidad a week later and travel with the team to the Gold Cup.


Photo shows Leo Beenhakker watching on during the recent T&T vs Romania match in Bucharest.

Leo Beenhakker, TTFA Director of Football comments:

"The approach taken by the TTFA establishes a long-term and substantive strategy that will positively impact the structure of the national programs while at the same time establishes an excellent Head Coach in Mr. Hart for some time to come"

Facts about the TTFA

The TTFA is a member association of FIFA and CONCACAF and serves as the governing body of football for Trinidad and Tobago. Founded in 1908, the TTFA is one of the oldest football associations in the world and in addition to administering nine national team programs for international competition it also leads grassroots and development initiatives throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

Issued by Shaun Fuentes
 Dir of Communications

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association

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