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St. Ann’s Rangers football club announced last week that former player and trainer Gilbert Bateau will take over as Head Coach for next season, after agreeing to a one year contract.

Bateau, 52, replaces a much younger Dean Pacheco, 40, and the 2013-2014 TT Pro League is his first shot as head coach of a professional team.

“It’s a pleasure to be back at St. Ann’s Rangers,” Bateau said. “I’ve been away from the club for some time but I’ve always kept an eye on what was happening, being a member of the St. Ann’s community.”

With regards to Rangers’ football, Bateau, father of Belgium based T&T international Sheldon Bateau, suggested that, “there must be an increased significance on discipline within the football and we’ll be back on track.”

Bateau’s qualifications include: C+ Coaching License KNVB (TTFF) (2011), Vern Gambetta Fundamental Athletic Development (Certificate of Participation) (2010), English FA Fitness Workshop Trinidad (Certification of Attendance) (2009), English FA Fitness Workshop (Coaching Certificate) (2006), T&T Football Referees Association (Certificate of Achievement – Grade A) (2003), T&T Defence Force Diploma in Physical Training (1995) and FIFA Futuro II Course – Centre of Excellence (1992).

While his experiences include: San Juan Jabloteh Reserve Team coach and professional team assistant coach (2011-2012), T&T National Under 23 team trainer (2011), T&T National Under 20 team trainer (2009-2011), Jabloteh trainer (2003-2010), T&T National Under 17 trainer (2003 – 2007) and (Superstar) Rangers trainer (1995-2003).

In a press release by the St. Ann’s club, Rangers stated: “The owners and the board believe that, in Gilbert Bateau, they have a coach with the ability to come in and deliver the objectives that have been set for the future.”

Rangers’ Director of Operations Manager Richard Piper explained that the objectives are “revitalizing youth development and building back that strong connection with the St. Ann’s community.”

Piper added, “If we really look at his (Bateau) track record, he has worked at club and national levels and he has transcended from the physical trainer to being a coach. To the regular person out there, Bateau isn’t known as a coach, but we trust that it would be proven that he is a coach in the coming season.”

Rangers finished the 2012-2013 Digicel Pro League championship in 7th position with just 13 points from 21 matches on an eight-team table under Pacheco on his debut season as head coach. But in defense of the former T&T international, a depleted roster contributed to the meager result.

“We are hoping that with Bateau now with us, some of our home grown talents would return to the club,” continued Piper. “We want to finish, at least, middle of the pack next season, and hopefully within a three year period to be battling in the top three. As of now our ultimate goal is to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the CONCACAF Champions’ League.”

Bateau will be assisted by assistant coach and team manager Jason Spence, who is also the youth technical director, assistant coach Everett Williams, trainer Sheldon Scipio, goalkeeping coach Nigel Neverson and assistant goalkeeping coach Brandon Williams. Meantime the club is still undecided with regards to Pacheco after his contract expires at the end of June.