Trinidad hire Beenhakker

PORT-OF-SPAIN: Former Holland coach Leo Beenhakker (pic) was named coach of Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday, a day after Bertille St Claire was fired. 

Former Trinidad captain Russell Latapy, a player-coach at Scotland's Falkirk, was appointed as Beenhakker's assistant. 

Beenhakker, 62, was the Dutch national coach in 1985-86 and 1990, and helped Ajax win the national title in 1980 and 1990. 

His career also included posts with European clubs Real Madrid, Real Zaragoza, Feyenoord and Vitesse, two stints with Mexico City-based Club America, and the Saudi Arabia national side. 

St Claire was dismissed after Trinidad and Tobago were held to 0-0 at home by Costa Rica on Wednesday, leaving the Soca Warriors in last place in the final round of Concacaf World Cup qualifying with one point from three games. 

Ron LaForest, another former national striker who once scored a hat-trick against Arsenal with Pat Jennings in goal, was reassigned to coach the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic team. – AP