Manchester United legend Dwight Yorke has walked away from the job as Trinidad & Tobago’s head coach of the men’s national football team after less than two years in that position.

It is said he had an issue with having to accept a pay cut due to the national team’s failure to qualify for this summer’s World Cup tournament. 

As a player, Yorke had a glittering career at Manchester United before moving on to Aston Villa.

In 2006, he was part of Trinidad’s team that made it to the World Cup.

He took over as coach of the national team in November 2024. Many thought Trinidad & Tobago had a good chance of qualifying for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, but it was not to be when the team drew 1-1 with Jamaica, ending up third in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

The Trinidad & Tobago Football Association (TTFA) put out a statement which read: “Following the conclusion of the recent FIFA World Cup qualification campaign in which Trinidad & Tobago failed to advance to the 2026 World Cup, the TTFA Executive Committee conducted a comprehensive review of the campaign and the overall direction of the Men’s Senior National Team programme, inclusive of its technical structure and financial framework.

“Subsequent discussions were held between the TTFA and Mr Yorke regarding the future of the role, including revised contractual terms and remuneration aligned to the next phase of the programme. 

“After these discussions, both parties were unable to reach agreements on the proposed terms at this and it was mutually decided to part ways.”

Many Caribbean national football teams struggle with resources, financing and organisational administrative capacity. In Trinidad’s case, the thinking may have been that if their team made it to the World Cup, the revenues garnered would better enable the TTFA to pay Yorke an agreed-upon salary and bonuses for performance.

That revenue source is no longer available, and the TTFA has to go back to the drawing board and figure things out. With the US, Canada and Mexico out of this qualification round,  there was no better time for Trinidad to get over the line and qualify for the biggest sporting event in the world.

Perhaps Yorke should have played the long game, remained as coach, positioning Trinidad as a force to be reckoned with and set the goal to qualify for 2030.

Dwight Yorke issued a statement which read: “I remain confident in the work that was undertaken, the standards that were established and the foundation that continues to be built for the future of the national team.

“Progress in international football requires stability, structure and sustained investment, and I firmly believe that the players demonstrated the commitment and potential necessary to move the programme forward.

“I had every intention of continuing that journey. Unfortunately, circumstances beyond my control have made that impossible. I want to pay special tribute to the players. Their commitment, resilience, willingness to work hard and pride in representing Trinidad& Tobago were evident every single day.”

The TTFA still owe Yorke outstanding sums on his salary. Yorke’s contract was due to end in October 2026.