Nepal’s Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi ‘delighted’ for signing three-year contract with ANFA

Almutairi had guided Nepal to the final of the SAFF Championship for the first time in 28 years. During the championship, the Head Coach had announced that he would be no longer associated with the team.

Nepali Men’s Football Team Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi celebrates during a SAFF Championship match. (File photo/ANFA)

Prasun Sangroula

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Kathmandu: Nepali Men’s Football Team Head Coach Abdullah Almutairi has signed his contract with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) for three more years. As per the renewed contract, Almutairi will coach the national team till 2024 end.

During the SAFF Championship held in the Maldives last month, Almutairi had announced that he would no longer be associated with the team.

“People of Nepal and their true love made me change my mind. Then, I agreed to extend my contract instead of putting in papers,” said Head Coach Almutairi speaking at a press meet in the Capital on Tuesday. “The players and officials also convinced me to stay in Nepal, I am delighted for getting my contract renewed.”

According to Almutairi, now his main goal is to improve Nepal’s rankings in FIFA rankings and to improve chances in FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.

Although Almutari renewed his contract, he had announced, after the match with Bangladesh in the SAFF Championship, that he would never come to Nepal again.

“The final against India will be my last match as Nepal coach. I will never come back to Nepal,” he had said. Prior to that, he had already announced to step down as the Head Coach twice through his Facebook.

Almutairi had joined the Nepali team in March 2021. He had guided Nepal to the final of the SAFF Championship for the first time in 28 years.