Former T&T striker is head coach of St Lucia men’s team
THE ST Lucia Football Association yesterday confirmed that former Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) striker Stern John has been appointed head coach of the island’s senior men’s national team.
John, who has also served as the head coach for the Anguilla men’s senior national team, an assistant coach for his country’s senior men’s team, and head coach of the T&T under-17 men’s team, said his aim would be to improve St Lucia’s performance in the sport.
“A new journey begins this month, and I believe that with the right mindset and with a proper, calculated approach with the necessary support, we can put St Lucia back on the football map in our region,” he said.
PREPARING THE TEAM
His first order of business will be preparing the team for their opening Concacaf Nations League encounter away to Dominica on June 9 and at home to Anguilla on June 12.
John, a former standout player for T&T, appeared at the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals for the Soca Warriors.
At club level, John has won the Trinidad and Tobago Professional League title with Central FC in 2017, and a year later, led the club to the winners row in Group B of the Concacaf Caribbean Club Championship Group stage, helping the team to advance to the finals, where they placed fourth.
In 2016, as assistant coach, John helped to guide Central FC to the Caribbean Football Union Club Championship title.
John played in the English Premiership for Birmingham City, winning the club’s leading goalscorer award in 2003, and was also a member of several other clubs, including Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Coventry City, Southampton, and Bristol Rovers. He won an English Championship Division winners medal with Sunderland in 2007.