Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) Executive Committee member Shakawat Hossain Bhuiyan Shahin has publicly demanded the immediate sacking of national team head coach Javier Cabrera. The dramatic call came during a media briefing on Saturday, fronted by BFF president Tabith Awal, ostensibly to outline the board's future roadmap.
Shahin, who also sits on the crucial National Teams Committee, minced no words in expressing his displeasure. "To make 18 crore people of Bangladesh smile, I, as a member of the National Teams Committee, want the resignation of national team coach (Javier) Cabrera," he declared emphatically, turning the focus of the briefing squarely onto the beleaguered Spanish tactician.
Cabrera's position has been under intense scrutiny following Bangladesh's disappointing 2-1 defeat to Singapore in an AFC Asian Cup Qualifier earlier this month. The loss sparked widespread criticism from fans and pundits alike, with particular ire directed at Cabrera's strategic decisions, player selection, and seemingly ill-judged substitutions during the crucial match.
The press conference itself, attended by 15 of the 21 invited Executive Committee members, saw Shahin's discontent palpable from the outset. Seated at the very end of the stage with a visibly grim expression, his frustrations boiled over when the general secretary attempted to engage him in conversation.
Such an unreserved public comment from a BFF Executive Committee member during an official press conference clearly caused discomfort among his peers. BFF President Tabith Awal addressed the awkward moment by stating, "What happened is unfortunate. We will discuss this internally."
The persistent questioning surrounding Javier Cabrera continued into the Q&A session with journalists. Initially, President Awal sidestepped queries about the coach's future. However, when pressed further, he responded, "This is actually still a premature question, and any answer given would also be premature. We have a standard process where the National Team Committee will conduct an assessment and review. After that assessment, your questions can be taken, and answers can be provided."
The demand from within the BFF's own ranks signals a significant escalation in the pressure on Cabrera, raising serious questions about his tenure as the national team's helmsman.
