The search for Bangladesh’s next national football team head coach is entering its final stretch, with former Wales manager Chris Coleman understood to be the leading candidate as the Bangladesh Football Federation prepares to confirm an appointment by 15 May. The announcement, originally expected on 10 May, has been pushed back after federation president Tabith Awal confirmed that discussions are continuing and a final decision will follow the completion of the process.
“No, the coach’s name is not being announced today. We are continuing discussions. Discussions will continue until 15 May. After that everything will be settled,” Tabith told local media.
The most significant development in the search has been the withdrawal of Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale, who had generated considerable excitement among supporters after it emerged he had expressed interest in the role. Micale guided Brazil to football gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics, including Neymar in his squad, and his application had been viewed as a genuine coup for Bangladesh football. However, delays in the BFF’s decision-making process appear to have cost them their man. On 8 May, Brazilian media including O Globo reported that Micale had signed as head coach of second-division club Londrina Esporte Clube, a club where he himself once played.
With Micale out of the picture, Coleman has moved to the front of the queue. The 55-year-old Welshman is best known for his transformative work with the Wales national team, guiding them to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016 in what stands as one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of British international football. Under his stewardship, Wales climbed from 117th to 8th in the FIFA rankings. As a player, Coleman represented Manchester City, and his club coaching career has taken in Fulham, Sunderland and Real Sociedad. He was interviewed virtually by the BFF on 9 May.
Running alongside Coleman in the race is German coach Bernd Storck, who at 63 brings a wealth of international management experience. A former Borussia Dortmund player who also worked on the coaching staff at the club, Storck has managed the national teams of both Hungary and Kazakhstan. According to a BFF official, one of Coleman or Storck has the highest chance of landing the role. A Portuguese coach is also understood to be on the shortlist, though no further details have been confirmed.
The scale of the search reflects the broader transformation of Bangladeshi football’s international profile, driven in large part by the emergence of diaspora players such as Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome. A total of 230 applications were submitted for the head coach position, of which 170 came from UEFA Pro Licence holders. That number was reduced to 100 after initial screening, then to 23, before a final 11 were selected for interviews following further evaluation.
It is a level of interest and scrutiny that the BFF has never previously experienced in a coaching appointment, with club-level appointments historically having been made with far less fanfare.
Bringing in a coach of Coleman or Storck’s calibre will not come cheaply. BFF technical committee chairman Kamrul Islam Hilton estimated that the full coaching staff, with international-standard coaches typically preferring to work alongside their own support team, could cost in the region of 50,000 to 60,000 dollars per month. The federation has indicated it is prepared to make that investment to advance the country’s football, and is also expecting financial support from the Sports Ministry and related organisations.
The question of assistant coaches adds another layer of complexity. Although the BFF issued a separate notice for the assistant coach position, most foreign coaches of the calibre being considered are expected to insist on bringing their own support staff, a factor that will influence the overall cost of the appointment.
The vacancy arose after Spanish coach Javier Cabrera officially departed on 30 April, having spent more than four years in charge of the national team, the longest tenure of any head coach in Bangladesh’s football history. During his time in charge, Bangladesh played 39 matches, winning 10, drawing 10 and losing 19. His tenure included Bangladesh’s first victory over India in an official match in 22 years and a SAFF Championship semi-final appearance in 2023.
Whoever takes the role next will inherit a squad in transition but with genuine potential, particularly given the growing pool of diaspora talent available. With the process now in its final days, the BFF national team management committee is set to hold an emergency meeting at 6pm on Sunday, 10 May, as the federation moves closer to bringing the lengthy search to a conclusion. The announcement is expected by 15 May.
