Bangladesh football fans will have to wait a little longer to learn the identity of their next national team head coach, after the Bangladesh Football Federation’s National Teams Committee meeting on 10 May concluded without an official announcement. Six European coaches remain in contention for a two-year contract, with former Wales manager Chris Coleman understood to be the leading candidate and a final decision expected by 15 May.
“The interview process for the head coach is ongoing. We are speaking with many people. Earlier we gave a deadline and on the 15th we will move towards signing a contract and reveal with whom we are proceeding. Our schedule will not be delayed,” said BFF president and National Teams Committee chairman Tabith Awal after the meeting at Fortis Downtown Resort in Dhaka.
The meeting, held on Sunday evening, focused primarily on reviewing the candidates interviewed over recent days. That process has now produced a final six-man shortlist, all from Europe. Three candidates from Latin America who had previously been in contention are understood to be no longer in the running. Negotiations with the remaining six coaches over salary, support staff and contractual terms will begin imminently, with another committee meeting expected within two to three days before a final name is put to the executive committee for approval.
Coleman, who led Wales to the semi-finals of UEFA Euro 2016 and guided them from 117th to 8th in the FIFA world rankings, has been the most widely discussed name throughout the process. Tabith himself reportedly raised the former Wales coach’s name during Sunday’s meeting, arguing that Coleman’s appointment would not only improve Bangladesh’s football but also attract international attention to the national setup. Other committee members are understood to have agreed that Coleman warrants special consideration. German coach Bernd Storck and four other candidates remain in contention alongside him.
When pressed on specific names, Tabith was characteristically guarded. “We will not talk about individuals and we are not providing any information regarding that. We can only say that we are speaking openly with the candidates. I am confident many of them will keep the opportunity of becoming Bangladesh coach open until the 15th. I request everyone to wait until then to know the final name.”
One significant detail confirmed by Tabith on Sunday is that the new coach will be offered a two-year contract, a departure from the arrangement given to Javier Cabrera, who initially signed a one-year deal that was later extended in phases, with his final contract running for 14 months. Cabrera’s deal expired on 30 April, and the federation has been working at pace to fill the vacancy since.
“We are working with the aim of taking Bangladesh forward over the next two years,” Tabith said.
Salary negotiations represent one of the more complex aspects of the appointment. The BFF paid former coach Cabrera approximately 13,000 euros per month, and paying more than 20,000 dollars per month for a new head coach is considered a stretch for the federation’s existing budget. However, Tabith has made clear that options are being explored to bridge any financial gap.
“Budget is definitely a factor and the federation has its own budget. If the amount exceeds the federation’s limit, we will try to arrange support through the government, sponsors and donor organisations. But ultimately, the decision has to be made by the federation itself,” he said.
The additional complication is that several of the shortlisted coaches are keen to bring their own assistant staff, which would add significantly to the overall cost. “We are discussing everything with everyone. It differs case by case. We are considering the demands and ideas of every promising coach,” Tabith said.
The search drew an extraordinary level of global interest, with more than 230 applications received for the position, of which 170 came from UEFA Pro Licence holders. That number was reduced to 23 after initial screening, with 11 candidates then invited for virtual interviews before the current six-man shortlist was established.
The departure of Brazilian coach Rogerio Micale, who guided Brazil to Olympic gold at the 2016 Rio Games and had initially expressed interest in the role, was a notable setback in the process. His withdrawal, attributed to the delays in the federation’s decision-making, prompted him to sign with Brazilian second-division club Londrina Esporte Clube on 8 May.
