Stephen Hart

Stephen Simon Hart (born 15 March 1960) is a Trinidadian football manager and former player who is the head coach of Halifax Tides FC of the Northern Super League.

As a player, Hart began his career with the San Fernando Hurricanes before joining Professional Football League club Texaco in 1979. Leaving Trinidad and Tobago for Canada to study at Saint Mary's University, he represented the university team as well as the Halifax Privateers. Hart joined the San Fernando Strikers briefly before six years with King of Donair. He ended his playing career with Americas.

As a coach, Hart first took over at King of Donair as a player-manager in 1988. He returned to Saint Mary's University as coach of the Huskies women's team, before becoming technical director of Soccer Nova Scotia. Between 2004 and 2012, Hart undertook several roles with the Canadian Soccer Association from under-17 to senior level. In December 2009, he was named head coach of the Canadian national team, and in June 2013 took charge of the Trinidad and Tobago national team. In June 2018, he was named the inaugural head coach of HFX Wanderers FC of the Canadian Premier League. On 13 October 2022 it was announced that the Wanderers had parted ways with Hart.

Club career Hart spent his early playing career in his native Trinidad and Tobago, and after progressing in the youth ranks of the San Fernando Hurricanes, joined Professional Football League club Texaco in 1979.

He spent a year with the Halifax Privateers in an amateur league in Halifax, Nova Scotia before returning to Trinidad to play for the San Fernando Strikers. He then returned to Halifax playing for amateur clubs King of Donair in 1983 and Americas.

After moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia to continue his education, Hart also played for the Saint Mary's Huskies, the university soccer team, and was named an Atlantic University Sport all-star midfielder. In 2016, Hart was recognised in the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame.

International career In 1980, Hart was called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He earned seven caps.

Coaching career

Early career Hart began his coaching career while in university, volunteering his time to coach children. He took his first coaching position in 1989 as a player-manager for semi-professional club King of Donair. Hart coached the team to four consecutive league titles and six cups.

Hart returned to Saint Mary's University to coach the Saint Mary's Huskies women's team for four years.

HFX Wanderers On 28 June 2018, Hart was announced as the first head coach of Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC. At the end of the 2022 season, it announced that the Wanderers had parted ways with Hart.

Portland Thorns FC On 4 October 2024, Hart was announced as the assistant coach of the National Women's Soccer League club Portland Thorns FC.

Halifax Tides FC On June 30, 2025, Hart was named interim head coach of Halifax Tides FC in the Northern Super League. His position was confirmed permanently in December 2025, following the Tides' last-place finish in the 2025 season.

Personal life Hart was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, and grew up in Marabella and La Romaine.

He is a long-time Halifax resident and lives with his wife, a Nova Scotia native, and their three daughters.

Managerial statistics

Honours Club HFX Wanderers Canadian Premier League Runners-up: 2020

Individual Canadian Premier League Coach of the Year: 2020