SPORTS REPORTER

The wait for Bangladesh’s next national football team head coach is expected to end within the next few days, with the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) set to make a final decision on Sunday.

The BFF National Teams Committee, headed by president Tabith Awal, has already interviewed five of the 11 shortlisted candidates and plans to complete the remaining interviews by Saturday before finalising the appointment.

“Interviews of the selected 11 coaches are being conducted online. The NTC has already interviewed five coaches and will interview the remaining six today and tomorrow. We are likely to take the final decision at the executive committee meeting, which is the final stage of the recruitment process,” Tabith told reporters at the Physical Education College in Mohammadpur following Notun Kuri Sports talent hunt programme on Friday.

“Our target is to finalise the coach by Sunday and sign a contract with him by May 15,” he added.

Tabith said the BFF had followed a transparent recruitment process, having initially received around 230 applications before reducing the list to 100, then 23, and finally 11 candidates for the last round of interviews.

Amid concerns that financial limitations could prevent the BFF from appointing a high-profile coach, Tabith insisted the federation remained ambitious.

“Budget is not just about how much is being paid, rather it is about what we are investing and what we are receiving in return. Finance is important, but it will likely be the last criteria in hiring a high-profile coach,” he said.

Responding to a question on local coaches, Tabith said: “We are very open to evaluating local coaches for these positions. We want to confirm the assistant coach, goalkeeping coach and fitness coach once we select the head coach of the national team.”