The St Lucia Football Association is pleased to confirm the appointment of Stern John as Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team.
Stern John, former standout player for Trinidad and Tobago, appearing at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals for the “Soca Warriors” has also served as the Head Coach for the Anguilla Men’s Senior National Team and is a former Assistant Coach for the Trinidad and Tobago Senior Men’s Team. He was also the head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago U-17 Men’s Team in 2019.
At club level, John has won the Trinidad and Tobago Professional League title with Central FC in 2017. And in 2018 he led the club to winners row in Group B of the CONCACAF Caribbean Club Championship Group stage, helping the team to advance to the Finals where they placed fourth. In 2016, as Assistant Coach, he helped to guide Central FC to the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship title.
As a player, John amassed 70 goals in 115 international appearances for his country and is currently 18th on the list of Leading Goalscorer in International football.
John played in the English Premiership for Birmingham City, winning the club’s leading goalscorer award in 2003; other clubs which he played for include Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Coventry City, Southampton and Bristol Rovers. He won an English Championship Division winners medal with Sunderland in 2007.
He won the American Major League Soccer (MLS) Top scorer award in 1998, with 26 goals for Columbus Crew in 1998, also earning selection on the MLS All Star team that year.
Commenting on the appointment, John expressed delight on his new role.
“I am delighted to have been appointed head coach of the St Lucia Men’s National Team. I’d like to this opportunity to thank the President of the FA and his team for showing their confidence in me with the appointment,” John said.
“A new journey begins this month and I believe that with the right mindset and with a proper, calculated approach with the necessary support, we can put St Lucia back on the football map in our region.
“History shows that this island has produced some quality players in the past who have played professional football in Europe in countries such as England and Portugal. This is evidence that there are talented and capable players in St Lucia’s football. It’s just to get that belief again among the players and people of St Lucia again.
“The President and the FA have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and the direction they want to take the football. I will give it my all to try and bring some level of respect and stability to the National Team and hopefully some smiles to the people of St Lucia again,” John added.
John’s first order of business with be preparing the Senior Men’s Team for its opening CONCACAF Nations League encounter away to Dominica on June 9th and at home to Anguilla on June 12th.