[UPDATED] Ex-national footballers temper expectations: Eve no magic man

FORMER national footballers Brian Williams and Densill Theobald have both endorsed the decision to appoint Angus Eve as the interim TT men's senior football coach, but said Eve has a tough job on his hands in turning around TT football.

A media release on Sunday, said, "The FIFA-appointed normalisation committee of the TT Football Association (TTFA) has appointed Angus Eve as interim head coach ahead of the Gold Cup preliminary round, which takes place in early July 2021."

On accepting the position, which runs until August 31, 2021, Eve told TTFA Media, “I’m really honoured and privileged to have this opportunity to continue to represent my country. I’m committed to provide a lift to TT, especially in this time where we are battling with so many different adversities at the same time.”

Williams, in an interview with Newsday, said, "From my perspective I think it is a great opportunity, a great choice at this point in time taking into consideration the present footballing atmosphere in TT."

The former Strike Squad defender said the TT public should not expect Eve to make an immediate impact. "I know it is going to be a difficult job. Remember he is not no magic man, we got to be patient with him...because going to the Gold Cup will be a great challenge for him and he has limited time."

Discussing what Eve will bring to the table, Williams said, "What I think Angus could bring is a bit of cohesiveness among the players and what has been missing with the national team for the longest while, which is national pride." Williams said the national players would have seen Eve play for TT which will help them develop a connection with him. Williams also called on all national coaches to support each other.

Terry Fenwick, along with assistant coaches Derek King and Kelvin Jack were fired on Friday days after being eliminated from the first round of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. Eve, a former national player, has coached many teams during his career. He is the coach at Naparima College and at Club Sando and is a former TT junior coach.

Theobald, a former national team-mate of Eve, said, "I wish Angus Eve all the best. I thought he was knocking on the door of TT football in terms of coaching for a long while. I know that he is competent coach."

Theobald also said people cannot expect miracles. "I know it is not going to be an easy task for him in terms of what lies ahead, but I know once he gets hold of the job, he gets hold of the players that he wants to choose and be part of his set up...I know that he has a bright future ahead in terms of the national team."

The former midfielder said Eve will bring his style of play to TT football. Theobald said Eve will bring the best out of the players, the team will be well organised and TT will have energy and aggression.

The TTFA release added, “With the Gold Cup around the corner, the appointment of an interim head coach had to be made in very short order. As such, a selection panel of normalisation committee member Nicholas Gomez, Anton Corneal, Anthony Sherwood and Richard Chinapoo met on the 12 June to finalise the selection of the interim head coach and Eve was recommended to the normalisation committee as the preferred candidate.

Normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad said, “We thank the previous coaching staff for their commitment and efforts. We now look forward to the Gold Cup competition and wish Angus all the best. We will do our very best to support him and the team.”

The normalisation committee will be consulting with Eve to finalize his coaching staff.

After the Gold Cup, a process overseen by an independent selection panel will invite and review applications, in anticipation of appointing the new senior men’s national team head coach in September 2021.

This story was originally published with the title "New coach Angus Eve to 'lift' Trinidad and Tobago football" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

The Normalisation Committee has appointed Angus Eve as the Interim Head Coach of the Senior Men’s National Team.

The FIFA-appointed normalisation committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) has appointed Angus Eve as interim head coach ahead of the Gold Cup preliminary round, which takes place in early July 2021.

On accepting the position, which runs until 31st August 2021, Eve told TTFA media, “I’m really honoured and privileged to have this opportunity to continue to represent my country. I’m committed to provide a lift to TT, especially in this time where we are battling with so many different adversities at the same time.”

Terry Fenwick, along with assistant coaches Derek King and Kelvin Jack were fired on Friday day after being eliminated from the first round of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign. Eve, a former national player, has coached many teams during his career. He is the coach at Naparima College and at Club Sando and is a former TT junior coach.

The release added, “With the Gold Cup around the corner, the appointment of an interim head coach had to be made in very short order. As such, a selection panel of normalisation committee member Nicholas Gomez, Anton Corneal, Anthony Sherwood and Richard Chinapoo met on the 12 June to finalize the selection of the interim head coach and Eve was recommended to the normalisation committee as the preferred candidate.

Normalisation committee chairman Robert Hadad said, “We thank the previous coaching staff for their commitment and efforts. We now look forward to the Gold Cup competition and wish Angus all the best. We will do our very best to support him and the team.”

The normalisation committee will be consulting with Eve to finalize his coaching staff.

After the Gold Cup, a process overseen by an independent selection panel will invite and review applications, in anticipation of appointing the new senior men’s national team head coach in September 2021.