In a recent interview, Gohar Zaman, Pakistan's senior football coach and former international player, expressed his concerns regarding the current state of football in the country. He believes that the sport requires a fundamental reset, advocating for a system that prioritizes merit, coaching stability, and genuine player development over short-term fixes.
Gohar highlighted the detrimental effects of frequently changing national team coaches, arguing that such instability hampers the development of a competitive squad. He stated, "I strongly believe constantly changing coaches negatively affects the national team. Football is not a short-term project but it needs time, trust, consistency, and a clear philosophy." This sentiment reflects a broader concern that without a stable coaching environment, it becomes increasingly difficult to establish a cohesive team identity and effective player development pathways.
In his critique, Gohar pointed out that the frequent turnover of coaches undermines their authority, complicating the process of building relationships with players and implementing a consistent playing model. He emphasized the importance of time in coaching, stating, "Coaching is not magic; it takes time to build a team." Drawing parallels with Spain's footballing success, Gohar urged Pakistan to adopt a long-term approach that transcends individual tournaments, advocating for a commitment to developing a robust football culture.
Moreover, Gohar raised issues regarding the technical structure of football in Pakistan, particularly the academy model overseen by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). He criticized the current approach, which includes academies named after major cities like Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, and Islamabad, suggesting that these should be evaluated based on the quality of players they produce rather than the fees collected from participants. "If the main focus is simply collecting fees from players, then I don't believe that alone can be called a national football development strategy," he remarked.
Gohar also called for patience regarding the foreign coach Nolberto Solano, arguing that overseas coaches need time and autonomy to acclimate to the unique challenges of Pakistani football. He noted that the real issue often lies not in the coaches' abilities but in the external influences surrounding them. Furthermore, he emphasized that while foreign-based Pakistani players can bring valuable experience, they should not be viewed as inherently superior to locally developed talent.
As for the upcoming ASEAN Cup, Gohar acknowledged the formidable competition posed by teams such as Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. However, he remained optimistic about Pakistan's chances, stating, "Football is played on the pitch, not on paper. If Pakistan prepares properly, believes in itself, and plays as a team, we can compete with anyone." He underscored that qualifying for the tournament would be a significant achievement, adding, "Why not Pakistan?"
As preparations for the FIFA ASEAN Cup begin, it has been reported that goalkeeping coach Aslam Khan and assistant coach Mehmood Khan have been replaced by Zahid Taj and Mohammad Habib, respectively. This change comes as the national footballers are set to gather next week to kick off their training. Despite attempts to reach out to PFF Director Technical Adeel Rizki and head coach Nolberto Solano for comment, they did not respond. Gohar's insights reflect a pressing need for a strategic overhaul in Pakistan football, emphasizing the importance of stability and a clear vision for future success.
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