BRIAN WILLIAMS, the former Trinidad and Tobago defender wants to coach at a national level here in Trinidad and Tobago.
But first he wants to garner the experience necessary before he can take on such a task.
Williams said he wants to begin at the youth level and eventually work his way up to the seniors but only when he has gained sufficient experience to do so.
Williams was a defender on the Strike Squad which came within a point of qualifying for the 1990 World Cup in Italy losing 1-0 to the US on November 19, 1989 at the then national Stadium in Mucurapo..
Since then the rasta-hairstyled Williams has followed his new calling assisting young footballers to develop their game.
In a recent interview the rugged defence-man said he can make a valuable contribution to improving the standard of football at all levels in Trinidad and Tobago.
"There is a good base of local players available but they need guidance and support," Williams told Newsday.
For now however Williams stands committed to the United Petrotrin football team to ensure they continue to improve this season.
Williams has had a long and illustrious football career both at club and international levels.
However, one of his proudest moments came a few days ago when he was selected as "Coach of the Year" at the annual awards ceremony of the TT Pro League.
Last year Williams took a youthful United Petrotrin team from the bottom of the standings to the prestigious PFL "Big Six" title.
He coached a team comprising players from the southern community and minus foreign players — the "Oil Squad"— to an unbeaten run in the "Big Six" including victories over W Connection, North East Stars and Defence Force.
"It is a great honour," Williams said. "I am looking forward to building my coaching career to the highest level. I still have a lot to learn and this award has given me the motivation to work harder and to educate myself even more".
Williams represented Trinidad and Tobago for 15 years and gained 78 caps at the senior level.
He ended his international career in 1993, four years after the painful 1-0 loss to the United States on November 1989.
Despite the defeat however Williams was presented with the "Most Valuable Player" award at the end of the match.
"The loss to the US in ‘89 was a great disappointment," he said. "But it is wonderful to see that in 2006 we have finally made it to the biggest football stage of all, the World Cup."
Since his exit from playing football Williams said he wanted to give back to the community and country that gave him the opportunity to play football at the highest level around the world.
"In 1991 I received my FA Coaching Badge and I began coaching at the Palo Seco Academy under Mr Edgar Vidale who has been like a father to me," he said.
He described Vidale as "a great coach" from whom he has learnt a lot.
"I still rely on him for guidance and we spend many hours discussing football," he said.
Williams also thanked CONCACAF Director of Development Richard Braithwaite, whom he also described as helpful to many young footballers in the southland.
Former national players and coach Everald "Gally" Cummings also came in for kudos. He said Braithwaite has been his mentor since the days of the outstanding Trintoc team of the 1980s, while Gally has given him the confidence and courage while on the national team.
"He is a very creative and knowledgeable coach and I always admired his ideas about football," Williams said.
He is also a great fan of Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard. "I admire Rijkaard because he is a young coach with new ideas and he is not afraid to put his strategies into practice. I like to see football with good control and possession," Williams said.
He feels that footballers must have intensity and commitment but described Trinidad and Tobago’s style of football as "slow".