PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)

Star player Russell Latapy has been appointed Trinidad and Tobago's (T&T) football head coach following the resignation of Colombian Francisco Maturana yesterday.

Maturana quit on the back of T&T's poor results so far in World Cup qualifying. The Soca Warriors have secured a mere two points from three CONCACAF qualifiers in a dismal bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa.

"The technical coaching staff, led by Maturana, have offered their resignations to the Executive Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) due to differences in opinions regarding the way forward in the FIFA 2010 World Cup Qualification Campaign for South Africa." the TTFF said in a release. The body, as a result, moved swiftly to put Latapy in charge with Zoran Vranes as his assistant.

The 60-year-old Maturana, 14 months into the job, tendered his resignation at a meeting yesterday morning when the performance and future of Trinidad and Tobago's team was discussed. The TTFF thanked him for his services.

"The TTFF wishes to thank Coach Francisco Maturana and his technical staff for their service to our nation's football these past months," the organisation further stated.

Latapy had been player/coach of the squad, under Maturana's watch, as T&T drew with El Salvador (2-2) and Honduras (1-1) and lost 3-0 to the USA in World Cup qualifiers in the last two months.

The 40-year-old Latapy, who played for more than 10 years in Europe, responded enthusiastically to his appointment.

"I'm absolutely delighted with being given opportunity to be coach of my country's national team," he said.

Trinidad and Tobago's next 2010 World Cup qualifying match is at home to Costa Rica on June 6, followed by an away clash with Mexico on June 10.