Former technical director for the Football Association of New Zealand, Paul Smalley, is set to arrive in mid-August to take charge of the Bangladesh Football Federation’s director of technical and strategy, said the BFF on Tuesday. Smalley, who was recommended by FIFA for the job, was supposed to arrive in Dhaka on Monday but he delayed the arrival citing safety concern following the attack on Spanish café in Gulshan that killed 22 people, mostly foreigners.
The 50-year-old Englishman, who has a vast coaching experience throughout the world with many federations and clubs, visited Dhaka in June and agreed to work with the BFF.
BFF general secretary Abu Nayeem Shohag said that Smalley confirmed them he would arrive in the middle of August.
‘We settled all the issues of the agreement with him [Smalley] and he will sign it after arriving here in the middle of August,’ Shohag told reporters on Tuesday.
‘We want him [Smalley] available here by mid-August when a three-member FIFA delegate will visit Dhaka to discuss about the visions and missions of country’s football.
‘I think his presence during FIFA’s visit will help us to set our future planning for football.’
Sohag said they would prefer a two-year deal with Smalley.
‘One year will not be enough to fulfill our vision so we want to appoint him for at least two years,’ said Shohag.
The BFF general secretary also added that the national team’s temporary Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet will return on August 18 to sign his three-month deal.
‘Saintfiet informed us that he would arrive on August 18 and complete the signing formalities the next day.’
The federation may appoint German goalkeeping coach Christian Schweichler and a South African fitness coach to work along with Saintfiet.
-With New Age input
