David Nakhid has been appointed as a National Senior Team scout to serve from within the Technical Staff assigned to work under Team head coach Leo Beenhakker with immediate effect.
The appointment was agreed upon after Beenhakker made the offer to Nakhid on Tuesday and a meeting will be held with TTFF Special Advisor Jack Warner on Friday to finalize the terms and conditions of the new position.
As a result of this, Nakhid, a former National Captain, is no longer available to the current “Warriors” outfit as a player.
The 41-year-old midfielder said he had no qualms over having to give up his role as a player and is ready to scrutinize T&T’s upcoming opponents.
“The coach spoke to me and he explained the situation. He did make the offer open to me saying that he would like me to be a scout for the team but he also said he still felt I could make a contribution as a player and the choice was up to me,” Nakhid told TTFF Media.
“I thought about it and it was a hard one to decide on, particularly when you know you can do it as a player but then up came the chance to make a valid contribution to the effort to get to the World Cup. It also means that I could continue my football in Lebanon and still be involved with the national team which is something I cannot turn my back on.
“I think as more time passes on, the team is becoming a stronger unit and all of the guys realize how important it is for them to make an honest and worthwhile contribution and for me, this new position will give me an opportunity to stay involved and be part of what will be history created by us when the team gets to the next World Cup,” Nakhid added.
He is expected to take up his first assignment on June 4, the same day T&T takes on Panama at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Beenhakker commented on the latest development regarding Nakhid.
“It is something that we discussed and I respect his decision. I was the one who offered him a chance to make a contribution as a player and now something different has come up whereby I felt David could make a significant contribution and we have agreed upon this,” Beenhakker said.
Meantime, Beenhakker will have a second outing against Bermuda when they clash with the “Warriors” in a second friendly at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium from 6pm this Friday. The match will be the first game of a double header with the Pro Bowl Final playing off between CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh and Vibe CT 105 W Connection.