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From Left: - Oliver Camps, Otto Pfister and Jack WarnerIt is official! German Otto Pfister is the new head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team as he was unveiled in his official capacity at a media conference hosted by the T&T Football Federation at the Crowne Plaza, Port of Spain on Tuesday afternoon.

Pfister, one from a list of coaches screened by the Federation’s technical committee, was selected and deemed the best man for the job and will official begin his duties this month. He takes over the reign from Russell Latapy who took over the position midway through the 2010 World Cup final round up until last December.

It was announced also that Pfister will begin training with a group of home-based players from this month and he will also attend the Concacaf Gold Cup in the summer to view those teams that are likely to be among T&T’s opponents during the 2014 World Cup campaign.

His opening words at the media conference indicated that he was not concerned with his current CV, which had been read to the audience by the chairperson moments earlier, but more so with his role of taking the “Soca Warriors” back among the best in Concacaf and subsequently the best in the world come Brazil 2014.

“Football is not about history so much, for me it’s all about the new challenge I have with the Trinidad and Tobago team. I will give all my best from my side for the qualification for the next World Cup. I know the situation but I also have to analyze in my first time here. Trinidad and Tobago went to the World Cup (in 2006) but they did not go to the 2011 Gold Cup. 

There are some reasons for that but I do not know all right now and I will find out more over the next few days. We have the work together from today. My main thing now is working, working and working …that way we have a chance.

Adding that he already had a list of potential players to make up his squad both based home and abroad, he said "We have to find out who from these boys is ready to play all from the heart for Trinidad and Tobago. Who from these boys is ready to take a passport to play for Trinidad and Tobago.

We don’t have much time. The football is dominated in this area by United States and Mexico. All the rest fight for the third position. This is my objective from my side that I will give my best for this qualification.

I cannot give a guarantee. No coach in the world can give a guarantee. The only guarantee I can give you is with my heart and all my knowledge that I will work twenty four to twenty four hours for Trinidad and Tobago,” Pfister stated on Tuesday.

The former Cameroon and Ghana coach said he intends to work closely with local coaches and will look towards his assistants being from these shores.

Also in attendance at Tuesday’s conference was FIFA Vice President and TTFF Special Adviser Jack Warner who held the position of Acting Prime Minister. He mentioned that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had already requested a budget from Minister of Sports Anil Roberts and the TTFF in relation to T&T’s quest for qualification for the 2014 World Cup Finals.

Videos:

View Pfister's address - TTFF Media

Interview with Keith Look Loy on the present & future state of T&T Football - C-Live

TTFF Unveil New Football Coach Otto Pfister - CNC3

TTFF Unveil New Football Coach Otto Pfister - C Live

TTFF Unveil New Football Coach Otto Pfister - TV 6


Pfister pledges to work 24/7.
By Ian Prescott (Express).

"Trinidad is a new challenge. I will give all my best for the qualification for the World Cup. I cannot give a guarantee. The only guarantee I can give you is my heart and my knowledge. I will work and give 24 hours out of 24 hours for Trinidad and Tobago."

Those are the words of 74-year-old German Otto Pfister, who the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) yesterday confirmed as new senior men's national team head coach at a news conference at Crowne Plaza, Port of Spain.

Endorsing Pfister's appointment at the function was acting Prime Minister and FIFA vice-president Jack Warner, who confessed to knowing the German for 20 years.

However, Warner declared he had deliberately stayed out of the selection process.

And Warner gave the Government's commitment to provide Pfister with all the support needed for T&T to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

"We are fortunate to have Otto Pfister. Even in FIFA, in the technical department, he is highly recommended," said Warner. "These are exciting times. I feel very energised. I feel that what is good is worth waiting for, and guys, Otto is good.

"I give the commitment today that the Government will do everything in its power, financial and otherwise, to make this dream come true," Warner said.

"The Prime Minister (Kamla Persad-Bissessar) has spoken to us (Warner and Minister of Sport Anil Roberts) and said come to her with a budget that will take us to Brazil. The Government is committed to financing this project. The Minister of Sport is committed."

While Pfister begins work immediately, it was disclosed that his assistant and technical staff will only be determined following a further selection process.

Among the candidates for the position of assistant coach is former national captain Russell Latapy, who was T&T's head coach prior to Pfister.

However, when quizzed about Latapy's role, Warner indicated that the "Little Magician" is not certain to get the nod.

"He (Latapy) was offered (the position of assistant coach) and accepted. But at the end of the day it's up to the coach (Pfister). As I said before, no one had the exclusive right to be the assistant coach. The fact is, Latapy is available, but it's up to Pfister."

Confirming Warner's position was TTFF technical adviser Keith Look Loy, who said Pfister's appointment came about by a democratic and transparent process, and the same will be done for his assistant.

Look Loy, Lincoln "Tiger" Phillips, Roland Forde and Jamaal Shabazz sit on the selection committee which will make the final recommendation as to who will be Pfister's assistant.

"This process is not yet complete. Otto does not work alone and a staff must be selected," said Look Loy."In the next few days we hope to conclude the business of staffing the team."

Pfister declared it is always his philosophy to work with local coaches, because it gives local coaches the benefit of his expertise, even when he is gone.

He said it would be easy for him to bring in three Germans as his assistants, but would do little for the country.

Pfister has an impressive resume, which has seen him coach on three continents and in 17 countries. Voted African Manager of the Year 1992 when head coach of Ghana, he has been to four African Nations Cup competitions and two finals.

He won the 1991 FIFA Under-17 World Cup with Ghana and has also been to the World Cup with Saudi Arabia and Ghana. However, after 60 years of coaching, the holder of a Bundesliga coaching licence said success is not possible without cooperation.

"All of this (success) is not because I am a good coach. All of this is because of team work. Sometimes, I flop also, because as a coach I cannot do this alone."