Anton Corneal has been appointed as the Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation.
This was among some of the decisions taken at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the TTFF at its headquarters on Thursday.
According to TTFF Acting President Lennox Watson, Corneal’s selection to chart the way forward for T&T’s football from a technical standpoint was a fitting one considering his vast background as a player, coach and coaching instructor.
Watson revealed that the centre of the TTFF’s focus for the upcoming 2012 calendar will be its development programme which will see emphasis placed on the men’s national Under-23, Under-20 and Under-17 teams as well as the women’s Under-20 and Under-17 teams.
An interim technical staff has been appointed to oversee some of the senior team’s international friendlies with Hutson Charles and Angus Eve as the two coaches. Their first fixture is on January 22 vs Finland’s senior team at the Hasely Crawford Stadium at 5 pm.
Watson also said Otto Pfister’s contract as head coach of the Senior team will not be renewed. Pfister’s final match in charge of the “Soca Warriors” was a 2-0 win over Guyana last November.
A TTFF technical committee was also approved and it includes Richard Quanchan as chairman, Rodill Clarke (Deputy chairman), Roland Forde, Marlon Morris, Wayne Riley, Jinelle James and Corneal.
“I feel satisfied that we have kick-started proceedings towards implementing some of the measures that will enhance the development of our football, more specifically our national youth teams that will supplement our Senior National teams,” Watson said yesterday.
Corneal meantime, in an immediate response to his appointment said he was truly honoured to be presented with the opportunity to serve in the capacity of technical director. “I feel honoured to help with the development of football in Trinidad and Tobago.
I have been the assistant Technical Director for several years with Mr Lincoln Phillips in which a development programme was implemented,” Corneal told said. “But due to of lack a funding many areas of the programme could not be realised. I believe our coaching education programme will be a key area to developing coaches at all levels of the game.
“A conscious effort must be made to synchronise our club football, colleges league and the Pro league with an emphasis on proper development. Coaching schools, community teams, primary schools and zonal teams will help form the foundation of our football.
These programmes are only possible with the support of the Government and the business community, I know with planning, implementation and patience we will see a better product in our National teams,” Corneal added.
Corneal qualified the T&T Under-17 team to the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2007 and was assistant coach with the T&T Senior team at the 2006 World Cup Finals and Under-20 team at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup.
He is also a FIFA Grassroots instructor. Corneal was an understudy to Leo Beenhakker at the 2006 World Cup. Head of the TTFF’s marketing agency All Sport Promotions Anthony Harford stated also that another statement in relation to court-related matters involving the TTFF will be issued in the near future.
By: Lasana Liburd (wired868).
Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) Acting President Lennox Watson announced today, via press release, that long-time senior team assistant coach, Anton Corneal, is the new national football team technical director.
Corneal was awarded a four-year contract, which suggests that he will bear long-term responsibility for arresting the decline in the local game.
A new TTFF technical committee was also selected and will comprise of Chairman Richard Quanchan, Deputy Chairman Rodill Clarke and ordinary members Roland Forde, Marlon Morris, Wayne Riley, Jinelle James and Corneal.
Corneal apart, Quanchan is the only technical committee member with international coaching experience—and that came in field hockey. Morris, who unsuccessfully contested the post of Northern Football Association (NFA) president last year, is a former international footballer while James is a former national women's player.
"I feel satisfied that we have kickstarted proceedings towards implementing some of the measures that will enhance the development of our football," stated Watson.
Corneal described the appointment as an honour and promised to further the coaching education programs done under his predecessor and former boss, Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips.
"A conscious effort must be made to synchronize our club football, colleges' league and the Pro league with an emphasis on proper development," said Corneal. "I know with planning, implementation and patience we will see a better product in our national teams."
Corneal scotched any suggestion that he would take charge of the senior team for the January 22 international against Finland or thereafter. He told Wired868 that his role would be largely administrative and is unlikely to encroach on the duties of interim head coach Hutson "Barber" Charles and his assistant Angus Eve.
"I would have loved to coach the senior team but youth development is where I feel I can help the most," Corneal told Wired868. "It is a dream of any coach (to be the head national coach) but sometimes you have to sit down and think about where you can help the most. I feel I can help more in developing players.
"The senior team coaching job is short term and involves dealing with players already developing. You either win or lose and live on your results."
Corneal, an articulate and fastidious personality, is viewed with suspicion by some contemporaries and football fans for his perceived ability to land plum positions without earning his spurs. He has never worked at local Pro League level while Trinidad and Tobago's disastrous Brazil 2014 World Cup campaign further highlights his uncanny survival instincts.
National head coach Otto Pfister, a German native, was mocked and sacked for the early exit by the "Soca Warriors". Corneal, his assistant, was promoted instead.
The significant shadow of his father, Alvin Corneal—a national Hall of Fame player, former international senior coach and FIFA Technical Committee member—also meant that he faced an uphill struggle in dispelling notions of bias.
Yet, as youth coach, he can point to the fact that he routinely took teams to the final CONCACAF stage while qualification for the 2007 Korea Under-17 World Cup is the highlight of his résumé. He is only the second local to take a team to a FIFA tournament after Bertille St Clair—although the latter finished second in CONCACAF in 1991 while Corneal's era saw five of nine teams advance to the final.
His coaching prowess might be a moot point anyway. As technical director, his role is not to outmaneuver opponents but to implement policy and relay ideas within his own fraternity.
Corneal listed his responsibilities as: the capacity to communicate and motivate, expertise in football education in the areas of grassroots and youth development and organisation and leadership skills.
"I think I fit the bill comfortably," said Corneal, who began operating as a FIFA Grassroots Instructor last month. "I have been doing some of those things before."
Corneal, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Erskine College in South Carolina and an array of coaching certificates including A' Licenses in the United States and Germany, appears to tick the right boxes. He claimed to relish the chance to use football as a vehicle to teach life skills and to create better citizens.
"I am hoping if we do it in football other sports will also do it," said Corneal, "and we will play a role in developing a better Trinidad and Tobago."
The TTFF might have complicated matters for Corneal when, last October, General Secretary Richard Groden took Caledonia AIA coach Jamaal Shabazz to act in the vacant technical director role at a FIFA conference in Guadalajara, Mexico. Shabazz, a month later, gave further indication of his potential when he led Guyana to a decisive 2014 World Cup qualifying win over the "Soca Warriors", which sealed the immediate coaching futures of Pfister and Corneal.
Guyana's relative success means that Shabazz is not immediately available to the TTFF. But he would surely have accepted the post had it been kept open to him—whether he is better suited to this role is another matter entirely.
Regardless, the TTFF Executive Committee has chosen Corneal for a role that has more to do with communication, workrate and long-term vision than rousing halftime speeches and snap touchline decisions. It might be a better fit than some would care to admit.
Anton Corneal CV (With Lasana Liburd).
Summary of Qualifications
(As Provided by TTFF)
FIFA Grassroot Instructor 2011 – Present
Dutch KNVB C Licence Instructor
A LICENCE
UNIVERSITY OF LIEPZIG
GERMANY
OCTOBER , 2005
[COURSE CONTENT:
-36 contact hours German language
-the basics of the general science of movements and training
-the basics and football-specific aspects of sports medicine
-sports-related pedagogical and psychological aspects relevant for football coaches
-football-specific aspects:
- structures of the DFB and the education of coaches
-The DFB system for promoting young talents
-aspects of the performance structure and training in football and their correlations
-theory and methodology of football techniques
-group and team tactics in attack and defense
-theory and methodology for training of athletic conditioning of football players.
- training planning and per iodization
-tasks and functions of a coach
-observation of training sessions and matches, conduction of practical teaching examinations
PAN AMERICAN SPORTS ORGANIZATION
HONORARY TECHNICAL DIRECTOR CERTIFICATE
ASOCIACION DE TECNICOS EN FUTBOL DEL PARAGUAY -
ASUNCION, PARAGUAY
APRIL, 2005
COURSE CONTENT:
-Preparation of National Teams for Olympics and World Cup Competitions.
-Development Structure of Sao Paulo F.C
-Development Structure of Brazilian F.C.
A LICENCE
UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION
TAMPA
FEBURARY, 1999
PROFESSIONAL B LICENCE
U.S. SOCCER FEDERATION
PENSACOLA, USA
1998
CERTIFICATE FOR INSTRUCTING COACHES
NORTH CAROLINA YOUTH SPORTS COUNCIL
2000
Coaching Courses: CONCACAF
Goalkeeping Coaching Course
February 1996
THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
International Football Development Scheme
International Preliminary Award
1994
CARIBBEAN FOOTBALL UNION
Seminar for Coaches, VI Shell Caribbean Cup 1994
Certificate of Attendance
1994
FIFA 'Futuro"
The FIFA/Coca-Cola World
Football Development Programme
Certificate of Attendance
1993
Education ERSKINE COLLEGE
South Carolina
B.Sc. Physical Education
1984
FATIMA COLLEGE
1980
Professional PIEDMONT SOCCER ALLIANCE
Work Experience DIRECTOR OF COACHING AND OPERATIONS
North Carolina
1996- 2003
MINISTRY OF SPORT AND YOUTH AFFAIRS
Physical Education Sports Officer
Port of Spain, Trinidad
ST. AUGUSTINE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL
Physical Education Teacher
St. Augustine, Trinidad
Coaching 1992-94
Experience: Head Coach,
Malta Carib Alcons
(Won Caribbean Professional League)
1995
U-20 Coach Pan American Games
(Argentina)
Understudy Joachim Figge for 6 months
1996
National Olympic Football Coach
Edmonton, Canada
1996
Assistant National Football Coach
Trinidad and Tobago
(Gold Cup USA)
2004- To present
Youth Development Officer
Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation
2004
U-20 National Coach
(Qualified for Concacaf Final Round of 8.)
2005
National U-14 Team
2006
Assistant Coach National Senior Team
GERMANY WORLD CUP
(worked with Leo Beenhakker for 7 months)
2006
U-16 National Team
(Qualified for Concacaf Final 8.)
2007
Assistant National Coach
(worked with Wilhelmus Rijsbergen for 12 months)
2007
U-17 National Coach
Qualified for U-17 World Cup South Korea
(First U-17 Trinidad and Tobago team to qualify for this Tournament
2008
Assistant National Senior Coach
(Worked with Francisco Maturana for 12 months)
2009
Assistant U-20 Coach
(U-20 World Cup , Egypt)
2010
Assistant Senior National Coach
(Worked with Otto Pfister for 9 months)
Playing
Trinidad and Tobago Senior Team
Experience
Trinidad and Tobago Youth Teams
Malta Carib Alcons
Aviation Services Ltd
Erskine College, South Carolina
Fatima College
Achievements
ALL AMERICAN - 3 YEARS
ALL SOUTH - 4 YEARS
HALL OF FAME - ERSKINE COLLEGE, South Carolina
VOTED TOP PARTICIPANT - GERMAN A LICENCE
TRIAD AREA LEADERS, NORTH CAROLINA - TOP 40 UNDER 40.
FIRST COACH TO QUALIFY UNDER 17 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NATIONAL FOOTBALL TEAM TO A UNDER 17 WORLD CUP.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO FOOTBALL FEDERATION STERLING CONTRIBUTION AWARD
PARTICIPATED IN 3 FIFA WORLD CUP CAMPAIGNS IN COACHING POSITIONS
YOUNGEST PLAYER TO SCORE A HATTRICK FOR TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO SENIOR TEAM (16 YEARS OLD)
Pfister axed as Warriors coach but...Corneal new Technical Director.
T&T Newsday Reports.
But his assistant Anton Corneal has been elevated to an administrative hot seat as he is now the TTFF Technical Director, according to a media release issued by the Federation yesterday.
The TTFF Executive Committee met at the Federation’s headquarters on Dundonald Street, Port-of-Spain on Thursday and, according to the release, acting TTFF president Lennox Watson revealed that the contract for the 74-year-old Pfister will not be renewed, after it expired on December 31.
Pfister, who was officially unveiled as Russell Latapy’s replacement last April, failed to guide the “Warriors” past the Second Round phase of the 2014 FIFA World Cup CONCACAF Zone qualifiers.
But the media release effectively centred on the appointment of Corneal as the Technical Director, taking up the post which was vacated by ex-Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Lincoln “Tiger” Phillips last May.
Corneal’s selection to chart the way forward for TT’s football from a technical standpoint, was a fitting one considering his vast background as a player, coach and coaching instructor, said Watson.
Corneal, who played five internationals in the 1980s, coached the national team to the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in South Korea, and was deputy to Zoran Vranes at the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt. He was also the assistant coach to Leo Beenhakker at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany and also served as deputy to past TT coaches Joachim Figge (1995), Wim Rijsbergen (2006- 2007), Francisco Maturana (2008-2009) and Pfister.
From 2004, he was the TTFF Youth Development Officer and he was also a FIFA Grassroots Instructor.
“I feel honoured and honoured to help with the development of football in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Corneal. “I have been the assistant Technical Director for several years with Lincoln Phillips in which a development programme was implemented.”
He continued, “but due to of lack a funding many areas of the programme could not be realised. I believe our coaching education programme will be a key area to developing coaches at all levels of the game.
“A conscious effort must be made to synchronise our club football, colleges league and the Pro League with an emphasis on proper development. Coaching schools, community teams, primary schools and zonal teams will help form the foundation of our football.
“These programmes are only possible with the support of the Government and the business community, I know with planning, implementation and patience we will see a better product in our national teams,” ended Corneal.
Watson, who took over from Oliver Camps as TTFF head last November, pointed out that the TTFF will pay specific attention on its development program this year, with emphasis on the men’s Under-23, Under-20, Under-17 and Under-15 teams, as well as the women’s Under-20 and Under-17 squads.
Hutson “Barber” Charles and Angus Eve, two former national midfielders, will serve as joint coaches on an interim basis, including the forthcoming friendly international against Finland at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo on January 22.
Watson said, “I feel satisfied that we have kick-started proceedings towards implementing some of the measures that will enhance the development of our football, more specifically our national youth teams that will supplement our (men) national teams.”
The TTFF Technical Committee was also approved, with Richard Quan Chan as the chairman, with Rodill Clarke as his deputy.
Corneal is also part of the Technical Committee, along with Northern Football Association (NFA) president Roland Forde, ex-national forward Marlon Morris, former TT women team midfielder Jinelle James and Wayne Riley.
In related news, head of the TTFF’s marketing agency (All Sport Promotions) Anthony Harford stated that another statement, in relation to court-related matters involving the TTFF, will be issued in the next few weeks.