“After three and a half unforgettable years, I have made the difficult decision to step down as Head Coach of the Saint Lucia Senior Men’s National Team.
This has not been an easy decision. Saint Lucia has become much more than a place where I coached football. It is a country that welcomed me, challenged me, and gave me the privilege of working with an incredible group of players, staff, administrators, and supporters who share a genuine passion for the game.
To the Saint Lucia Football Association, thank you for entrusting me with the responsibility of leading the national team. Coaching Saint Lucia has been one of the great honours of my career, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the continued growth and development of football on this beautiful island.
To my coaching staff and everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, thank you for your professionalism, dedication, sacrifice, and friendship. Football often shines its brightest light on the ninety minutes on the pitch, but I know how much work takes place long before kickoff and long after the final whistle. I will always appreciate your commitment to the programme and to the players.
To the players, thank you for believing in the process. Thank you for your hard work, your willingness to learn, and your commitment to representing Saint Lucia with pride. Together, we celebrated important victories, learned from difficult moments, welcomed new talent into the national programme, improved our competitiveness, and continued laying foundations for the future.
Watching many of you grow as footballers, and more importantly as young men, has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. Continue believing in yourselves, continue demanding excellence from one another, and never lose sight of what is possible for Saint Lucian football. The future belongs to you.
To the supporters and the people of Saint Lucia, thank you for welcoming me into your football family. Whether you supported us from the stands, followed us from afar, celebrated our victories, or challenged us to be better after difficult moments, your passion never went unnoticed. Football belongs to the people, and your belief in the team has always been a source of motivation.
When I accepted this role in 2022, my vision was to help build a culture founded on discipline, professionalism, belief, and long-term development. I leave with pride in the progress made and with confidence that the foundation now in place can support continued growth in the years ahead.
Although my chapter as Head Coach has come to an end, my respect and affection for Saint Lucia will not. I will always remain a supporter of Saint Lucia football, and I look forward to watching the players and the country achieve even greater success.
I also wish to thank SLFA President Lyndon Cooper, the Executive Committee, and all those involved in the
transition process. I remain committed to assisting with an orderly handover and to ensuring the national
programme continues to move forward.
Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey. I leave with nothing but respect, gratitude, and wonderful memories.
May God continue to bless Saint Lucia, its people, its players, and its football.
With sincere appreciation,
Stern John”