At the Bangladesh Football Federation’s “Meet the Press” event, BFF Executive Member Shakhawat Hossain Bhuiyan Shaheen openly demanded the resignation of national team coach Javier Cabrera.
The sting of Bangladesh’s 2-1 loss to Singapore in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers hasn’t faded yet. The match sparked heavy criticism on social media, and now the frustration has spilled over into the federation itself. One of its own members has gone public calling for the coach to step down.
The BFF held the press event at a Dhaka club on Saturday to discuss its ongoing activities, future plans, and strategies. But it was Shakhawat’s direct remarks that took center stage.
“I will not comment on audit or government relations here. I am a member of the national team committee. From that position, I have one clear agenda: I want Javier Cabrera to resign as the national team coach. This is what 180 million people of the country want,” he said.
Bangladesh’s defeat against Singapore at home, despite having foreign-born talents like Hamza Choudhury, Shohmit Som, and Fahmidul Islam, has led to strong backlash on social media. Many are blaming Cabrera’s tactics and calling for change.
Demands for a more competent coach have grown louder, especially with the inclusion of players from England, Canada, and Italy believed to have raised the squad’s standard. Cabrera’s current contract runs until the end of the Asian Cup qualification campaign.
Shakhawat’s unexpected call for resignation, made while addressing internal audit and government relations, naturally drew attention and prompted a response from BFF President Tabith Awal. He stated that Cabrera’s performance would be assessed and reviewed internally, saying, “We’ll hold internal discussions regarding this.”
