It's a very strange situation to be in at the moment for everyone around the world.
The Covid-19 situation will leave a big effect on all business and people globally.
The UK is in serious situation with the virus but hopefully we can get past this in the next few months and move on with our lives.
It will have a big effect on the lower clubs in the UK, maybe not the English Premier League as these are massive clubs.
No one really knows the situation in the UK until the leagues have been decided.
I didn’t think no one really knows what to do for the rest at the moment.
I believe they will try and finish the season but when and for how long is still a talking point.
To talk about the situation of the clubs I have previously managed, Barrow AFC, where I was assistant manager just before joining Bangladesh, are waiting to see if they get promoted as top of their league (fifth tier in English football pyramid).
Welling United FC, where I played and managed for biggest part of my career, have said they will have to cut back on budget/money next season.
Some BPL clubs have appreciated the idea of going with the local footballers only when football returns from Covid-19 pandemic but they don’t think it would be possible to conclude the remaining games due to the short space of time before next season.https://t.co/W87wDCgiIw#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 23, 2020
League One side Gillingham FC were the club where I coached before Barrow and they seem okay and waiting for league decision.
The unfortunate situation in Bangladesh is clubs pay big money to foreign players which comes through other business and donations and now they find themselves in serious situation.
I think maybe going forward some clubs will struggle to survive in Bangladesh because of this and also we may see only Bangladesh players playing the premier league in the future which in a way will have benefit to local players.
The clubs and league may take a backward step for short term but if we put things in place and try to develop slowly it could have a positive in the long term.
I think now because of the pandemic situation clubs will find themselves financially more concerned.
I can’t comment really about the Bangladesh Premier League clubs because I don’t know their actual financial condition and how hard they are affected.
They obviously need to minimize their outgoings as best they can at the moment.
I hope they will now know how to develop younger players and play more local players in their teams.
Perhaps, foreign players will now be too expensive to recruit for a period of time.
Kazi Nabil Ahmed, the BFF VP, has suggested concluding the remaining fixtures of the BPL with the local footballers only to reduce extra pressure from the financially struggling clubs from bearing the expenditures of the higher-paid foreign recruits.https://t.co/O61bTxlIHU#BFF
— Dhaka Tribune Sports (@Sport_DT) April 23, 2020
As I said many times before, the fewer the number of foreign players would be, the more beneficial for the local footballers.
I think they will call the BPL off this season as most of the fixtures are still remaining to be played but there may not be enough time.
But I would like some form of football to possibly start towards the end of the year provided everything is safe.
I don't believe we can just postpone till next year.
I have proposed a Super League for three months for the Bangladesh Football Federation to consider and to replace the league if it’s cancelled so we have some football and the teams can play for a trophy which can be concluded before the next season starts.
My advice to all the players – just to try and stay physically and mentally fit as best they can during this time.
I think this situation taught us to cherish the people who are close to us and be more kind and helpful to others.
It's very easy to always criticize but I think we should look to be more positive in life for the future.
Everyone seems to be coping very well in our house and just adapting to the situation and look forward to when we can go out again to continue normal daily routine.