Former Trinidad and Tobago footballer and ex-Sports activities Minister Kenneth Butcher has delivered a stark evaluation of the Soca Warriors’ World Cup marketing campaign, insisting that head coach Dwight Yorke ought to step apart if the crew is to face any probability of qualifying for the 2026 match.
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The Warriors sit third of their four-team Group B, managing just one level from their opening two matches—a loss to Jamaica and a draw towards Curaçao. Jamaica tops the group with six factors, whereas Curaçao holds second place on 4, leaving Trinidad and Tobago’s prospects hanging by a thread.
“Not the person for the job”
Talking on Isports on i95.5 FM on Saturday, Butcher pulled no punches in his criticism of Yorke, who was employed by the Trinidad and Tobago Soccer Affiliation (TTFA) with the precise mandate of main the crew to the World Cup.
“I’m not okay with Dwight Yorke staying on,” Butcher declared. “Now we have to go on observe document and Dwight has performed two video games and we’ve one level. We want 12 factors to advance.”
He reminded listeners of an identical second in nationwide soccer historical past when Bertille St. Clair was eliminated early within the 2006 qualifying marketing campaign, making means for Leo Beenhakker, who finally guided Trinidad and Tobago to its first-ever World Cup look.
Questions over techniques and management
Whereas acknowledging Yorke’s skill to encourage, Butcher was damning in his evaluation of the coach’s tactical acumen.
“If you find yourself speaking about inspirational management, I believe Dwight is snug with that,” he stated. “However in terms of tactical intelligence—primarily based on his efficiency to date when it comes to participant choice, making use of strain, taking part in in transition—all of these issues are left wanting proper now after the 12 video games we’ve performed to date.”
Butcher revealed that he graded Yorke throughout seven essential pillars required for achievement on the worldwide stage, giving him a rating of “about 75 out of 100%.” In his view, “that’s not ok.”
A name for integrity and difficult selections
Butcher argued that decisive motion should be taken by TTFA president Kieron Edwards and his government crew, even when it means asking Yorke to resign.
“If I have been in Kieron Edwards’ place, I’d get phrase to Dwight to tender his resignation,” he stated. “When Dwight tenders his resignation, it’s as much as the TTFA Government to just accept it or reject it. In the event that they reject it, the onus is on the administration to take the blows in the event that they don’t qualify. In the event that they settle for it, what it does for Dwight is that it offers him an integrity standing on the planet. Different nations will see that this fella has some character—he was doing a job, he realised it was troublesome, and he has tendered his resignation.”
With the Soca Warriors’ qualifying marketing campaign teetering on the brink, Butcher’s name underscores the pressing debate over whether or not Yorke’s management can take the facet any additional.
