PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad — The leadership of Dwight Yorke as head coach of the Trinidad and Tobago men’s national football team has received a lukewarm assessment from Kieron Edwards, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA).
Reflecting on Yorke’s period in charge, Edwards said the former striker’s overall performance warranted a “five out of 10,” pointing to a mixture of modest progress and lingering shortcomings during the coach’s tenure.
Yorke’s departure became official on February 28, when the TTFA confirmed that both sides had agreed to part ways after the team failed to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
World Cup ambition falls short
Yorke was appointed head coach in November 2024, tasked with leading Trinidad and Tobago back to football’s biggest stage.
But the campaign ultimately ended in disappointment.
During the Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers, Trinidad and Tobago managed only one victory in six matches and finished third in Group B behind regional rivals Jamaica national football team and group winners Curaçao national football team, who secured a historic first qualification for the World Cup.
The outcome sealed the Soca Warriors’ fate and marked the end of Yorke’s mission to guide the country back to the global tournament.
“Progress in some areas”
During an interview on i95.5 FM, Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, Edwards offered a candid evaluation when asked to rate Yorke’s overall performance across his 27 months in charge.
“There are different aspects that I judge individuals on, but, if you compile everything, for not qualifying for the World Cup, I would give him a five [out of 10],” Edwards said.
“I feel progress was made in some areas but, in other areas, I didn’t think that we made much progress.”
A growing concern: Lack of goals
One of the most significant concerns highlighted by the TTFA president was the team’s struggle to find consistent scoring power.
“There were some issues in scoring goals, and I think that’s across the board,” Edwards pointed out.
He suggested the problem extends beyond the senior men’s side and reflects a broader challenge within the country’s football development structure.
“Even when you look at the Under-20s and the Under-17s qualification for the World Cup as well, we’re seeing that we’re lacking in that area tremendously,” he said.
A call for sharper finishing at all levels
While Edwards acknowledged improvements in defensive organization compared with previous years, he emphasized that the federation must now prioritize developing true goal scorers throughout its system.
“Some years ago, we were lacking defensively, but I think that we shored up those positions, but a true goalscorer at all levels is something that we truly need to focus on as an FA and as coaches.”
For the TTFA, the evaluation of Yorke’s tenure now serves as both a closing chapter and a roadmap, highlighting the structural challenges that must be addressed if Trinidad and Tobago hopes to return to football’s grandest stage.
