Just a day after the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) announced Thomas Dooley as the new head coach of the National Football Team, Youth and Sports Adviser Aminul Haque, on Saturday, has revealed that no final agreement has yet been reached with the German-born American.
Speaking to reporters during the AFC Grassroots Football Day programme, the former Bangladesh captain said the upcoming friendly against the San Marino national football team on 5 June would effectively serve as a trial for Dooley before any final decision is taken.
"We want to treat the San Marino match as a testing stage. Only after that will the final decision be made," Aminul said.
The State Minister also suggested that Bangladesh football should proceed cautiously before making a long-term commitment from the dugout.
He added, "In the current reality of Bangladesh football, I believe a coach should first be evaluated on a trial basis. I have already told the BFF president that if a better option becomes available in future, efforts should continue to bring him in."
Aminul further disclosed that although he had several meetings with the BFF president regarding the search for a national coach, the federation did not consult him over the appointment of Thomas Dooley.
"They sought my overall support regarding Chris Coleman and I agreed. But the BFF did not ask for my assistance in appointing Thomas Dooley," he said.
The comments have added a fresh twist to Bangladesh football's latest coaching saga. Earlier, the BFF had formally announced Dooley's appointment after the 65-year-old arrived in Dhaka. Reports suggested he was set to sign a two-year contract with the federation.
Dooley represented the United States in two FIFA World Cups and captained the side at the 1998 tournament in France. As a coach, he guided the Philippines to an unbeaten AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign and most recently worked with Guyana.
However, despite the federation's announcement, the final whistle on his appointment appears yet to be blown.
