FORMER national striker Stern John says Trinidad and Tobago football is in shambles currently with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) in search of its third national coach in less than two months.
Former coach Stephen Hart was fired on November 24 last year with the TTFA shockingly appointing the previously unknown Belgian Tom Saintfiet on December 7 to the top position.
But a month later, the Belgian has bolted after three defeats in four matches. John, this country’s all-time top scorer with 70 goals, is hopeful that the TTFA chooses the right person this time as the team gears up for the resumption of the World Cup qualifiers in March.
John, who was a member of the Soca Warriors squad which created history by reaching the 2006 World Cup in Germany, wants the coaching situation to be resolved quickly.
“I think we just need to get it sorted, it has been dragging on for a long time. I think for me it is in shambles, we are making a mess of it. Whoever we choose as the national coach we need to sort it out as soon as possible and just support him, give him 100 percent support no matter what,” the former Birmingham City forward said.
John has no preference on whether the next coach should be local or foreign with names such as Dennis Lawrence, Terry Fenwick, Russell Latapy, Stuart Charles Fevrier and Francisco Maturana being considered.
Many national players have been under fire for indiscipline of late and John is calling for the local footballers to step up to the challenge of the World Cup qualification. “The players need to have a look at themselves as well and have some personal pride and put everything behind their backs and just get on with the game,” he stressed.
John added, “I am very concerned (about the indiscipline).
This is football, I think the guys need to grow up. Like I was telling couple of my friends a couple days ago Andy Cole and Teddy Sheringham they played on the same team (Manchester United) for years and they never spoke off the pitch but you have to be a professional player.
You don’t need to be friends off the field but on the field you need to work as a team and just get the job done and be a professional about it.” John is questioning whether some of the national players have the drive to succeed on the international stage.
“The players now they not that passionate about the game and they don’t really understand the importance of Trinidad and Tobago getting to another World Cup. Even for the country we seeing the mess the country is in right now, we need some kind of upliftment. The players, staff and administration need to get together and get this sorted because right now it is shambles,” he said.