Former Imp Set To Leave International Role – But Not Before Prestige Friendly

October 8, 2025 Gary Ex Imps, Players 0

Former Lincoln City player Charlie Trout is seemingly set to leave his role with Puerto Rico’s national team – but not before one final, prestigious friendly.

The ex-Imps coach has been serving as interim boss of the Caribbean nation as they prepare for a high-profile international fixture against Argentina later this month. However, reports suggest it could be one of his last matches, as the country seeks a new manager.

Trout’s Time With Puerto Rico Nears an End

Trout, who previously played for City in the early 2000s, but didn’t make a senior appearance. He was appointed as Puerto Rico’s coach in March 2023 and made an immediate impact with a 3–1 win over the British Virgin Islands. He guided the team to a penalty shootout victory against Suriname in the 2023 Gold Cup qualifiers before losing to Martinique, and later oversaw back-to-back second-place finishes in consecutive CONCACAF Nations League B campaigns.

In World Cup qualifying for 2026, Puerto Rico progressed to the second round but narrowly missed out on further advancement after results elsewhere went against them.

The Puerto Rican Football Federation has now confirmed that interviews for a full-time successor are underway, with a permanent appointment expected by January 2026. Until then, Trout will remain in charge for one final outing against Argentina, a friendly described as a “prestige fixture” for the island’s growing football scene.

Building Momentum for the Future

Federation president Iván Rivera confirmed they’re now looking for a new boss to take the island forward

“We are looking for a coach who has proven he can win in big arenas,” Rivera said.“Our mission is clear: to promote soccer from the grassroots to our national teams”

Despite key absences, including talented winger Jeremy de León, who misses out through injury, the squad is determined to make a statement in their final match under Trout. The game will serve as both a test of progress and a celebration of how far Puerto Rican football has come since professionalisation began on the island.

Trout’s spell has coincided with the federation’s wider growth – the opening of a new national headquarters in San Juan, increased grassroots investment, and high-profile backing from cultural icons such as Daddy Yankee and Rauw Alejandro.