KARACHI, Dec 5: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has given the task of managing Pakistan’s senior football team to a Slovenian coach, an official said Wednesday.

“AFC had sent the details of Slovenian coach Joseph Herel to Pakistan Football Federation. And we have agreed to his appointment,” PFF Secretary Agha Liaquat Ali said.

Herel is expected to come to Pakistan after Christmas and will take over the charge of the senior team who is currently preparing for next month’s South Asian Federation Football (SAFF) Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Pakistan has been without a proper coach since Sept 11 when British coach John Layton left the country due to security fears in the region.

“Layton will also come back to Pakistan after Christmas or in the first week of January. We would like him to take over the Youth Development program,” Ali said.

Pakistan, which is at the bottom of the world football rankings, showed signs of improvement under the AFC-appointed foreign coaches. The step was a part of AFC’s development program which also included a grant of one million dollars.—SADA