Bangladesh Football Federation is planning to appoint a national team head coach for the long term, informed national team management committee vice chairman Tabith Awal yesterday. The committee is also mulling a coaching staff for the national side before the start of the Bangladesh Premier League on July 15 this year.
Dutch tactician Lodewijk de Kruif is scheduled to leave here for the Netherlands today morning after his temporary role as head coach of Bangladesh came to an end with last Tuesday's AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers play-off against Tajikistan.
De Kruif paid a courtesy visit to the BFF House yesterday and sat in a meeting with president Kazi Salahuddin and vice presidents Tabith and Mohiuddin Mohi. Tabith praised De Kruif and said they will consider re-appointing him if the Dutchman wants to return to Bangladesh for the two remaining play-offs against Bhutan in September-October.
“De Kruif has been engaged with Bangladesh football in the last three years and he knows the country's football well but his contract will ended [yesterday] and he will return to his home [today]. From [yesterday] the two sides are free from each other,” said Tabith.
He continued, “We will take the final decision regarding the appointment of a national team head coach within two weeks. We have two important home and away matches against Bhutan. If there are no accident results against Bhutan we will have important international fixtures ahead. So we want to move forward with a long-term plan.
“De Kruif will return home and let us know his plans. We are also talking to a few coaches for the Bangladesh team. Hopefully we will appoint a full coaching staff before the Bangladesh Premier League starts on July 15. Who will not only watch games but also instruct the clubs as well,” he added.
