A public call for the resignation of Bangladesh national football team coach Javier Cabrera has stirred debate within the country’s footballing circles. Executive committee member of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF), Sakhawat Hossain Bhuiyan Shaheen, openly demanded the coach’s departure during a federation press conference held in Dhaka on Saturday.
The Spanish coach, who has been in charge of the national team since 2021, has faced growing criticism for his team selection and tactical decisions. Many in the local football community believe that Cabrera lacks the experience and insight needed to lead the national side effectively, especially with crucial international matches ahead.
Executive Member Speaks Out
At the end of an official press conference attended by BFF’s top brass, including President Tabith Awal and several committee chairpersons, Shaheen took the floor. While he was initially requested to speak on internal audits and government relations, he chose instead to raise his voice about the coaching situation.
“I will not speak on audit or government relations,” Shaheen said. “As a member of the national team committee, I have one agenda only — I demand the resignation of head coach Javier Cabrera. This is the voice of 180 million people of our country.”
His statement came as a surprise to many present, including BFF President Tabith Awal, who later described the moment as “unfortunate” and said the matter would be discussed internally. According to sources, 21 executive members were invited to the press briefing, with 15 attending. Shaheen was seated quietly at the edge of the stage but later expressed his dissatisfaction directly to General Secretary Imran Hossain Tushar during the session.
Tension Within the Federation
Shaheen’s outburst caught the federation off guard and reportedly made several other members uncomfortable. His comments reflect a growing frustration among parts of the federation and the footballing public over the performance of the national team under Cabrera.
When asked about the issue during the press conference’s Q&A session, President Tabith Awal initially avoided the question. Later, when pressed again by reporters, he responded: “It’s a premature question. Even if I answered, it would be a premature answer. We have a proper process in place — the national team committee will carry out a full assessment and review. Only after that can we respond appropriately.”
Next Steps for the BFF
The press conference was intended to address administrative and organisational matters. However, Shaheen’s remarks have now placed Cabrera’s position in the spotlight. The national team committee is expected to conduct a formal review of the coach’s performance in the coming weeks. Until then, the BFF leadership has urged patience from the media and supporters.
Whether or not the Spanish coach stays on will now depend on the outcome of that internal review and the broader opinion within the BFF’s leadership.
