Coach hangs on Bangabandhu Gold Cup

The National Teams Committee (NTC) is seemingly hesitant to confirm the head coach of the national football team as the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) are yet to declare the schedule of the Bangabandhu Gold Cup. The game's governing body has also not named the six participating teams as sponsors have not been ensured as yet.

On March 16, the game's governing body announced that it would hold the Bangabandhu Gold Cup from the third week of April, but has so far not confirmed any participating teams neither has it set any tentative date for starting the tournament, forcing the NTC to take a go-slow policy in regards to roping in a foreign coach for the national team.

“We have already talked to six coaches from Western Europe and England, but need to decide first whether to sign a coach at the moment or in June. That's why we have taken a go-slow policy. Once the date of Bangabandhu Gold Cup is declared, we will expedite our recruiting process,” informed BFF vice president Tabith M Awal, who is also a member of the NTC.

“It is certain that we will give the new coach a one-year contract to guide the under-23 national team in the AFC Championship Qualifiers and the national team in December's SAFF Championship,” Tabith said. “Whether we appoint a foreign coach or not, we will start physical training of the footballers in the next month as our plan is to play two international friendly matches in June.”

BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag had earlier said that the participating teams are ready to take part in the tournament but they can't declare the date of the tournament as the sponsors have not been confirmed.

It may be mentioned here that the game's governing body is yet to clear last edition's championship money of US$50,000 to Nepal.