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Thu, Mar

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Former National captain and goalkeeper Shaka Hislop is all in support of the return of Dutchman Leo Beenhakker to the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) set up.

Beenhakker has been appointed Director of Football for a six-month period in the first instance and Hislop, now an ESPN analyst, covering an assessing some the world’s best managers, teams and players, said he welcomes Beenhakker back to Trinidad and Tobago with opened arms.

“I’m a huge Leo Beenhaker fan. I maintain he’s the best coach, bar none, that I’ve worked under. I welcome having him back, in any capacity,” Hislop told TTFA media.

Hislop wants Beenhakker to play an integral part in developing the team for the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, and essentially the overall development of all national teams, which is exactly what the TTFA has in mind with his appointment, despite the fact that a six-month deal has been put on the table initially.

“As much as it immediately precedes the Gold Cup, I don’t think that is or should be our focus as to the direction our football is heading. Our focus should always be consistently qualifying for World Cups, and at the very worst competing, really competing, in the final stages of World Cup qualifying. 

“I understand,” Hislop continued, “why some coaches wouldn’t support the move. The underlying issue really is the disconnect between the TTFA and the Ministry of Sport. With a clearer understanding of respective roles and responsibilities for both the Association and the Ministry, and clearer expectations for coaches, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”

Hislop stands by Tim Kee’s decision making regarding the introduction of Beenhakker and new head coach Stephen Hart. Hislop said TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee could not be faulted for his decision making and believes it was all genuine.

“I truly sympathise with the positions of Charles and Shabazz, I really do. They gave for our country’s football in a manner that not many else would have done, especially so given the uncertain circumstance around our football for far too long.

But similarly, the TTFA, through its president Mr Tim Kee, will have to make unpopular decisions from time to time. As long as those decisions are made genuinely in the best interest of the game, I won’t criticise. And everything I’ve seen and experienced first-hand from Mr Tim Kee tells me he acts genuinely,” Hislop stated.

Hislop added that he didn’t know a great deal about Hart but wished him the very best in his tenure as head coach with the Senior National Men’s Team.