Bangladesh’s proposed Dutch national coach Lodewijk de Kruif promised to take Bangladesh to 100 to 120 in the FIFA rankings if he is given the job as planned for one year.
Lodewijk and his assistant Rene Koster arrived in Dhaka on Monday to asses the facilities and are expected to sign a one-year contract if everything appears satisfactory to them.
They, however, are said to have done some homework before boarding the Dhaka-bound plane and said they have given themselves a rough idea on Bangladesh’s football prospect.
‘This is the age of internet and every information is available there. I know the recent performance of Bangladesh team and the consequences of the recent coaches of the team,’ Lodewijk said, adding that he can take Bangladesh at least 50 places up.
‘The FIFA ranking depends a lot on the number of games a team play. But so far I know that Bangladesh has got a busy year ahead. In that case, the team can be lifted up to the 100th to 120th position,’ said the coach.
Despite his homework, it is believed that the coach will find it very tough to play the team in his preferred formation, which he said is 3-4-3.
Previous Bangladesh coaches struggled to assemble a team with three genuine strikers and it will be no different for the Dutchman.
‘I like to play with the Dutch attacking style of 3-4-3…But yes obviously I will have to check the skill and style of the Bangladeshi players before introducing anything new,’ Lodewijk said.
Lodewijk, who has his previous coaching experience in Nigerian Club Heartland, said some of his former charges played with Bangladesh’s league.
Meanwhile, his assistant Rene who is also supposed to take charge of the BFF Academy in Sylhet apart from working with the national team said his only aim will be to develop football in Bangladesh.
Rene also claimed to have an experience of working in academies for youngsters.
‘My football philosophy is very same to Lodewijk. I am here for the development of Bangladeshi football and will try to contribute in every possible way,’ Rene said.
In their week-long tour to Bangladesh, the coaches will sit at a meeting with BFF officials to finalise the terms and conditions of their tentative contract after watching two Bangladesh Premier League matches and visiting the academy in Sylhet.
-With New Age input
