KATHMANDU: The ongoing failures of the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) have begun to affect the coaching ranks, with Nepal’s head coach Matt Ross resigning just eight months into his one-year contract.
Ross tendered his resignation to ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai, though the football governing body has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
ANFA and Ross had signed a one-year deal on March 2. However, before the contract could run its course, the Australian coach decided to part ways, reportedly frustrated with ANFA’s inability to conduct even the domestic league football.
Ross had previously voiced strong criticism of the state of Nepali football, saying that “a country without a domestic league cannot expect any meaningful results.”
During his tenure, Nepal played seven matches, registering one win, two draws, and four losses. Under his leadership, Nepal defeated Singapore 1–0, drew goalless with Hong Kong and Bangladesh, and lost to Malaysia, Laos, and Vietnam (twice).
His resignation follows that of women’s national team coach Patrick De Wilde, who had also quit earlier after just one tournament, similarly citing ANFA’s inefficiency.
With no domestic competitions taking place and growing criticism over its management, ANFA’s failure to sustain football activities has pushed Nepali football into a deepening crisis.
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