Pakistan Football Federation is currently negotiating a long-term deal to hire the Englishman as the national team’s head coach. -White Star/Arif Ali.

 

KARACHI: The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) is currently in negotiations with Graham Roberts over a long-term deal as the head coach of the national team.

“We are currently in the process of negotiating a deal with Graham Roberts. He is keen to stay in Pakistan as the national coach as he sees a lot of potential in the players and thinks Pakistan can do better at international level,” PFF’s marketing director Sardar Naveed Haider told Dawn.com on Tuesday.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea player joined PFF in October as a coaching consultant on a two-month contract, which was financed by a UK-based sponsor.

Roberts’ main target with the national squad was the Asian Games, where the Under-23 team did not fare well, recording two defeats and one draw.

With the Olympic and World Cup qualifiers coming up in 2011, Roberts’ expertise could guide the national team to better performances.

“The PFF is keen on retaining his services for a longer period, given his vast experience as a player and a coach,” Haider said.

The PFF official informed Dawn.com that the federation has sought financial assistance from the government in order to meet Roberts’ demands.

“He (Roberts) has articulated his demands and we have written a letter to the prime minister.”

Roberts will remain with the PFF for another month, before his two-month contract runs out in December.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...