Dooley's appointment not yet finalised: State Minister

Dooley's appointment not yet finalised: State Minister

A day after the Bangladesh Football Federation announced Thomas Dooley as the new head coach of the national team, Youth and Sports State Minister Aminul Haque has claimed that a contract with the German-American coach has not yet been finalised .

Speaking to reporters after an AFC Grassroots Football Day event in the capital on Saturday, May 23, the former national team captain said Bangladesh's friendly match against San Marino on June 5 will be treated as a test case for the coach.

"We want to treat the San Marino match as a test and then make a final decision," Aminul told the media .

"In my opinion, considering the current context of Bangladesh football, we should evaluate the coach on a trial basis first. I have already told the BFF president that they should continue searching in case an even better option becomes available in future and can be brought in quickly," he added .

The state minister also revealed that the BFF had not consulted the Sports Ministry before deciding on Dooley, a departure from the process followed during the earlier search for a coach.

"They sought my overall cooperation regarding Chris Coleman and I agreed to that. But regarding Thomas Dooley's appointment, the BFF did not seek any assistance from me," Aminul said .

He stressed that there is no gap between the Sports Ministry and the BFF.

BFF president Tabith Awal was sent text messages for his reaction to the minister's comments but did not reply.