BFF shortlists 22 candidates in search for new national coach 

 
Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) has narrowed down a pool of nearly 300 applicants to 22 candidates as it presses ahead with the search for a successor to national team head coach Javier Fernandez.

Officials have now reached out to the shortlisted candidates via email, seeking details on their salary expectations and earliest possible date of joining. The move marks a pivotal step in the federation's selection process, as it attempts to balance ambition with financial prudence.

Among the candidates is Brazilian Olympic-winning coach Rogerio Micale, a name that carries considerable pedigree at youth international level. Two Argentine coaches have also made the cut, alongside local contender Zulfikar Mahmud Mintu, reflecting a blend of international experience and domestic insight in the running.

BFF Technical Committee Chairman Kamrul Hasan Hilton said the federation is currently gathering key contractual details before trimming the list further.

"We have asked the coaches about their salary expectations and availability. Once we receive that information, the list will be shortened again," he said.  

"If stronger applications emerge in the meantime, those will also be taken into account," he added. 

Hilton acknowledged the financial realities shaping the recruitment process, noting that BFF is working within a defined budget.

"There is a ceiling to what we can afford. If someone demands a salary in the range of hundreds of thousands of dollars, that will be beyond our reach. We are looking at a bracket of around $25,000 to $30,000 per month. It is now a matter of seeing how the numbers align," he added.

To meet the financial demands of appointing a high-calibre coach, the federation is exploring multiple avenues, including FIFA funding and potential sponsorship deals.

"FIFA support is there, and our president is also working to secure sponsors. We remain hopeful of bringing in a coach who can elevate Bangladesh football," Hilton said.

With the net now cast narrower, BFF appears to be entering the business end of its search.