In a sudden shake-up to Saint Lucia’s senior men’s national football program just days ahead of the 2024-2025 Concacaf Nations League, interim head coach Francis “Baba” Lastic has been relieved of his duties just ahead of the team’s opening group stage fixture. Multiple football industry sources confirmed the development over the weekend, revealing that Lastic, a veteran assistant coach and former Saint Lucia international defender, was asked to step down from his interim role less than a week before the team hosts Barbados on Friday at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground.
Lastic had overseen the team’s training sessions for weeks leading up to the Nations League, and continued leading preparation drills until earlier last week, when the change was finalized. The Saint Lucia Football Association (SLFA) has scheduled an official press conference for Tuesday in La Clery, where it will publicly announce Lastic’s permanent replacement and unveil the final 23-man squad for the opening phase of the tournament.
The vacancy for the permanent head coach opened up earlier this year when former manager Stern John departed the role. Contrary to initial expectations of a lengthy hiring process, the new permanent coach, whose identity remains under wraps ahead of Tuesday’s announcement, arrived on Saint Lucia’s shores last Friday and has already begun collaborating with the playing squad to finalize preparations for Friday’s match.
Just two weeks ago, insider reports indicated the SLFA had shortlisted the final pool of applicants and was nearing a final decision, but the speed of the transition still caught many in the local football community off guard. The sudden leadership change comes shortly after the SLFA appointed Miran Louis as its new technical director, adding another layer of recent institutional change to the country’s top football governing body.
Despite the unexpected upheaval in the technical staff, sources confirm Lastic’s abrupt removal has not disrupted team training or the selection process for the upcoming home fixtures against Barbados and Guadeloupe. Both visiting nations confirmed their final squads last week, and Saint Lucia’s roster is on track to be revealed on schedule this Tuesday.
A host of top domestic and overseas-based players are vying for spots in the final squad. Vino Barclett, a goalkeeper plying his trade with Montego Bay United in the Jamaica Premier League, is considered a lock for the roster, alongside his club teammates Melvin Doxilly and striker Kegan Caull. Overseas-based professionals Winger Caniggia Elva of Calvary FC and defender Terell Thomas of English side Carlisle United have also confirmed their availability and are set to join the squad for the tournament. Local top talent includes the Saint Lucia Semi-Professional Football League’s leading marksmen: Yanic Noel of La Clery and Garvin Reggie of Dennery, who are both in contention for starting spots. Rounding out the pool of prospects are Vieux Fort South’s Gregson President and promising young attacking midfielder Shaquan Nelson, who has earned a call-up to the preliminary selection.