Captain-turned-coach Dwight Yorke leads Trinidad and Tobago’s football World Cup dream

Dwight Yorke, learning from the great Sir Alex Ferguson

Given that Yorke has been managed and mentored by some of the game’s finest managers, it is far from unexpected that he is now pursuing the same path.

The striker was signed by English giants Manchester United in 1998 by none other than Sir Alex Ferguson, the most successful manager in Premier League history with 13 titles.

Yorke came into a successful setup which brought even more silverware: in his first season alone, he won the treble (Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Champions League) and went on to seize three consecutive league titles with the Red Devils.

The Trinidadian and Tobagonian was undoubtedly influenced by Sir Alex, not just on the pitch but off it and towards the dugout.

“The mindset that I’ve taken from the gaffer is how to win football matches,” Yorke states of the former United manager, “and he’s a serial winner himself, everybody knows that.”

After retiring in 2009, Yorke needed time and patience upon entering the managerial sphere. With much persistence and patience, he landed his first job in Australia with Macarthur FC, leading them to their first major honour in the 2022 Australia Cup.

“It took me a while,” Yorke admits of the adjustment from playing to coaching. “I’ve been focusing on managing for quite some time now. I’ve obviously had some experience in the past as well. We have made some really good progress in the months since I’ve taken over the job.”

The former national team captain arrived at the helm of the twin islands last November, having previously served as assistant coach for a brief spell following retirement.