http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=189879
Bangladesh Football Federation is likely to appoint a foreign coach before the national team's World Cup pre-qualifying match against Pakistan at home on June 29 as the game's governing body have all but given up hope on Croat coach Robert Rubcic's return.
“We have so far failed to make any direct contact with Rubcic (Monday) so that we have almost closed the chapter of Rubcic. We are however hopeful about roping in a foreign coach before our home match against Pakistan,” said Badal Roy after a meeting of the National Team Management Committee (NTMC) yesterday.
Rubcic left Bangladesh on June 2 without prior notice and the NTMC chairman, Badal Roy communicated with Rubcic's agent but failed to reach the coach, who was not paid his last four months' salaries.
It has also been learnt that Rubcic appealed to FIFA to get his unpaid wages but the BFF officials informed that they have yet to get any notice from the world football's governing body even though they are ready to clear Rubcic's wages.
Hasanuzzaman Khan Bablu, a member of NTMC though refuted the ground of such complaint from Rubcic, saying: “We were prepared to clear his (Rubcic's) wages, but could not since he left here without letting us know and without resigning his post. Then what could be his reason for complaint?”
Roy informed that they have short-listed two European coaches for the national team both of whom have better coaching profile than Rubcic.
The NTMC also decided to start the national camp from June 22 as most of national team's players, who play for Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club, will be available for the camp after that date. Assistant coaches Golam Zilani and Mahbubur Rahman Roxy will conduct the training cam until a new coach is appointed.
Accepting the blame for not giving enough time to prepare the national team ahead of pre-qualifiers, Roy said that some unplanned fixtures, nation-wide strikes from political parties and inclement weather left little time for the national team to prepare.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh-born Danish booter Jamal Bhuiyan arrived in Dhaka on Sunday after his call-up for the 27-member preliminary squad earlier.
“We will introduce him tomorrow (Tuesday) to the coaches. We have planned to arrange training for Jamal with the clubs' as we are yet to start the national camp,” said Roy.
NTMC member Imtiaz Sultan Jonny said, “We will get an idea about how talented he is after seeing those training sessions.”