ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Secretary, Lt. Col. (R) Ahmed Yar Khan Lodhi said on Sunday that a foreign coach will be hired by the end of September for the national team.
Lodhi told APP on Sunday that the PFF has short listed a few names of some foreign coaches and one will be hired for sure.
“The team's performance was disappointing in the qualifiers against Bangladesh but right now Tariq Lutfi is the best choice we have and he will coach the team until we hire a foreign coach,” Lodhi said.
When asked about Lutfi’s reluctance to work with a foreign coach, Lodhi said that it's Lutfi's choice whether he wants to work with a foreign coach or not but it is the need of the hour to hire a foreign coach.
“What our boys really need at the moment is exposure and a foreign coach who can groom them well,” he said.
Lodhi said that he has great confidence in the team for the England tour where they will face India in an international friendly on September 3 at the Pride Park Ground, Derby.
Pakistan football team will depart for England on August 29.
“They will play like a unit with full spirit and show the world that they are not less than any other team,” Lodhi added.
The PFF has appointed Lutfi as the head of delegation and manager for the upcoming England tour while the other officials are Gohar Zaman (assistant manager/assistant coach), Nasir Ismail (assistant coach), Aslam Khan (goal keeper coach) and Sardar Naveed Haider (director marketing).
