Saunders quits as coach of Central FC

Dale Saunders, the former national defensive midfielder, has quit his role as coach of TT Pro League champions Central FC.

Saunders, who also held a coaching role at the now defunct Joe Public, replaced current Trinidad and Tobago’s goalkeeping coach Ross Russell at the helm of Central FC in December 2015.

But Stern John, another member of the national men’s team technical staff, was seen giving instructions during Friday’s Pro League encounter between Central FC and North East Stars at the Arima Velodrome, while rumours were abound that Saunders had parted ways with the three-time Pro League kings.

Contacted for a comment yesterday, the 43-year-old Saunders admitted, “The rumour is out. I’m not with Central FC anymore. They had some outstanding payments and stuff.

“I made a decision to leave the club. I think I had enough. It’s time for me to move on. And I have some things happening right now.”

Asked to elaborate on what he has planned for the future, Saunders replied, “Some things on my own initiative.”

During the past few months (after Central FC completed a Pro League three-peat), a slew of players have either left the club or signalled their intentions to move on, due to the financial struggles at the Brent Sancho-owned club.

Among the players who have left are Jan-Michael Williams, Keron Cummings, Rundell Winchester, Julius James, Keion Goodridge, Darren Mitchell, Marcus Joseph, Kevon Villaroel, Willis Plaza, Leston Paul and Carlos Edwards, as well as the Antiguan pair of Vashami Allen and Walter Prince.

John now becomes the sixth official coach at the club, in its five-year-long existence.

The previous coaches at Central FC were Englishmen Graham Rix and Terry Fenwick, Zoran Vranes of Serbia, Russell and Saunders.