Following their victory over the Maldives, the Bangladesh national football team celebrated exuberantly at the Kings Arena and continued the festivities at their team hotel. After a few days together for two friendly matches, the players returned to their respective clubs yesterday.
Despite no upcoming international fixtures, Coach Javier Cabrera remains occupied with contract negotiations, as his current contract with Bangladesh expires on 31 December. The decision on Cabrera's future lies with the new Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president and chairman of the national team management committee, Tabith Awal. With only two wins out of eight matches in 2024, the BFF's decision on renewing Cabrera's contract or parting ways will be revealed soon.
The players, however, are in favour of retaining Cabrera, who has been with the national team for nearly three years. Captain Topu Barman expressed his support, stating, "If the president consults us, we will definitely want Cabrera to stay." BFF president Tabith did not respond to inquiries about Cabrera's contract on Sunday.
Cabrera debuted as Bangladesh's coach in a match against the Maldives in March 2022, with his last match before the contract's expiry also against the island nation. Under his leadership, the team has won 8 out of 29 matches, with 6 draws and 15 losses. Despite the mixed results, the quality of Bangladeshi football has improved under Cabrera's guidance, with players learning his football philosophy, tactics, and techniques.
Topu Barman emphasised the importance of continuity, saying, "I have been under this coach for a long time. We understand his football philosophy well, and the football we play under him is good. The decision rests with the new president and his team, but from a player's perspective, Cabrera is a good coach, and all players view him positively."
With the Asian Cup qualifiers approaching, the players believe that retaining Cabrera would be beneficial. Mujibur Rahman Johnny echoed this sentiment, highlighting Cabrera's effective plans and strategies. "Comparing past and present football, the difference is clear. Cabrera has transformed our football philosophy. Our aggressive play against the Maldives and our consistent fighting spirit for 90 minutes reflect his big dreams. Keeping him would be advantageous," said Johnny.
