Maturana resigns as manager of Trinidad

By JAMES FULLER

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad(AP) Trinidad and Tobago manager Francisco Maturana and his staff resigned on Wednesday with the Soca Warriors still in contention for next year's World Cup.

Maturana stepped down because of "differences in opinion" over the qualifying campaign with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation's executive committee, the federation said.

Midfielder and former assistant coach Russell Latapy will take over as a player-coach, assisted by Trinidad Under-20 coach Zoran Vanes.

"I'm absolutely delighted with being given the opportunity to be coach of my country's national team. It's something I've always wanted to do," Latapy said.

"The task ahead of us is by no means an easy one but I think once we can get everything together, and with the support of the nation, we can achieve our goal."

Trinidad was lying last in the six-team CONCACAF finals, but had played only three of 10 games. The top three automatically qualify and the fourth goes to a playoff. The Soca Warriors trailed second-placed Costa Rica by only four points.

Trinidad's next qualifier will be at home against Costa Rica on June 6, followed by a visit to Mexico on June 10.

In a terse statement, the federation thanked Maturana and his staff "for their service to our nation's football these past months."

Maturana, who coached Colombia in the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, could not immediately be contacted.

He was criticized by local media for some of his selections, especially after the 3-0 loss in the United States last week.

In 2006, Trinidad and Tobago became the smallest country in size and population to ever qualify for the World Cup.

Maturana replaced Wim Rijsbergen as manager in February 2008. He coached Medellin's Atletico Nacional to the 1989 Copa Libertadores title. He also coached Valladolid and Atletico Madrid in Spain, and Colon of Argentina, as well as the national teams of Ecuador, Peru and Costa Rica.

Updated April 8, 2009

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