LENWORTH HYDE Sr has been appointed coach of National Premier League (NPL) runners-up Tivoli Gardens for the upcoming season.

Hyde, who was removed as coach of dethroned champions Harbour View last season, will take over duties at the west Kingston outfit from Desmond Francis.

The latter, the team's assistant coach, was a stand-in for embattled coach Glendon Bailey, who failed to return to the outfit at the midway point in last season's campaign.

Hyde was voted Coach of the Year for the 2006-2007 season, which included numerous suc-cesses for the 'Stars of the East', chief among them winning the National Premier League title.

However, after seeing much leaner times in last season's campaign, which included not only surrendering the league title, but also receiving a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of DC United in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Hyde was dismissed as head coach of the outfit.

League title

In addition to his duties as head coach of Tivoli, Hyde who has also won a league title with this season's champions Portmore United, will have overall responsibility for the club's Under-21 team.

According to club chairman Edward Seaga, Hyde who also played for the west Kingston team, is an outstanding figure in the football arena and will be an excellent addition to the side.

That opinion was seconded by Tivoli manager Bryan Rose.

"His exposure with Portmore and Harbour View and being a former player, he is well respected with the club and he should fit into our plans quite well," Rose said.

Tivoli will begin their trial process for players interested in representing the team at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.