Bangladesh Football Federation has recently re-appointed Paul Thomas Smalley, who said, despite enjoying his stay in Brunei as a football coach, he is happy to return to Bangladesh as the country occupies a big place in his heart.
The former English footballer was initially appointed back in 2016 before he left the job in November 2019 to take charge of Brunei, but BFF reappointed him again in June this year.
“My job in Brunei was to handle the responsibility of the national team and football as the chief of development. I had some good memories there, but as the Covid-19 pandemic appeared, the footballing activities were stalled and I left the job to rejoin my family. I am happy to get another responsibility in Bangladesh, it is always in the bottom of my heart,” said Smalley to the media.
Smalley believes he will be able to improve Bangladesh football through utilizing his capacities and experiences.
“My resume, experiences and expertise in the football market are both comprehensive and eclectic, with an embracing reputation in both Europe and Asia. So from this perceptive, I am both pleased with what I accomplished in my first period in Bangladesh, but yet, realistic in the knowledge there is much more to do and an opportunity to move the game further forward in both south Asia and beyond. Ultimately the president, technical committee and executive members evaluate my performance. The technical director role in some ways is an impossible position, as you have to be everything to everyone, all of the time, but I make no excuses and certainly relish this responsibility,” the 53-year old explained.
Despite a good profile, Smalley faced attacks from different corners of the country’s footballing fraternity as many believed he did not work enough to improve the grass-root level of the game.
The technical director acknowledges the fact, but also said the financial constraint is a big issue that needs to be settled.
“I have operated with a modern and dynamic approach as national technical director. Both visible, all-inclusive and systematic. My intentions have been sincere and genuine to try and influence all of the key technical areas which we know will develop the game in Bangladesh,” he said.
“It's important to remember that the forecasted budgets during this period were done in collaboration with Asian Football Confederation and Federation Internationale de Football Association. Unfortunately, there is only a conservative allocation of funding available, certainly in comparison to some of our neighbors in Asia. Whilst some empowering work was done in grass-roots, on reflection this wasn't consistent or comprehensive enough. This is an area as you know is important to grow the game, which we must pursue and concentrate on moving forward,” he added.
Smalley took a four-year plan in 2016 to improve the country’s football and although part of his plans could not be realized, he believes the concept should be revisited.
“An aligned and systematic competition strategic plan for domestic, professional and international competitions is critical in the development of the game in Bangladesh and in other countries. In 2016, I wanted to present this concept and had a responsible consultation, I felt a four-year competition plan could be embraced by the game. One of the advantages of this, among a repertoire of many others was to avoid the impacts of the climate in Bangladesh, clashing with other competition calendars outside Bangladesh, the game, the clubs could then spend time on their planning and it was an exciting, commercial proposition. Unfortunately, this never happened. We must revisit this concept in our thinking and planning for the future,” he elucidated.
“We must firstly review the 2016-2019 period with a reflective and critical eye. We must acknowledge the lessons we have learned, which will then allow us to be better equipped and informed in the future. We hope to develop a further four-year football development strategic plan. The plan of 2020-2024 in line with Afc and Fifa programming. There are some obvious critical objectives but certainly not the exhaustive list,” he added.
During Smalley’s time with the Bangladesh women footballers, the age-level players did exceptionally well, and he allotted a major chunk of his time to improve the young female booters.
He is determined to give his best this time around also, and further improve the players and put them in an honorable position in the footballing world.
“My intentions have always been sincere and genuine in a way to try and influence all of the key technical areas which we know will develop the game in Bangladesh. Women's football as you know is one of those key areas of the game,” said Smalley.
“There are many opportunities here, certainly across international competition. This therefore, has required much of my time and the success here has been commendable. I will continue to work in a determined, ambitious way and with a passion to make positive contributions in all of the key technical areas. I will humbly try my best to do so,” he concluded.
