Dooley sets realistic FIFA ranking goal for Bangladesh

Bangla Press Desk:  The protracted and often turbulent managerial search of the Bangladesh Football Federation reached a definitive and dramatic conclusion on Friday, as veteran tactician Thomas Dooley touched down in a humid capital to officially assume control of the national side.

Arriving at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport early in the morning, the 61-year-old German-American swiftly navigated the administrative formalities before plunging straight into the local sporting culture. 

Following a brief rest at his hotel, the former United States captain made a striking, unscripted appearance at the Bangladesh Sports Press Association (BSPA) awards ceremony in the afternoon, offering a rare and immediate glimpse into his blueprint for a nation starved of footballing success.

Taking the stage at the BSPA event, the specialist in building teams from the ground up reflected on the journey that brought him to Dhaka.

"I have worked in Asia for many years," Dooley remarked, detailing his deep affinity for the continent. "I remember, as a player for the United States, we went to China and Korea... no, Japan. At that time, I wasn't very familiar with Asia, so I was thinking I don't know if I can work here. Then I learned about the Philippines, and by working for the Philippine national team, I travelled all over Asia, and I absolutely loved the place. I really wanted to work here again. If any opportunity had come up in Asia, I would go. I also knew a little bit about Bangladesh. So, when this head coach position became vacant, I applied. I thought it would be great to work here because it’s close to the Philippines where I played, and it’s also easy to keep in touch with Germany, my parents' country."

The footballing landscape in Bangladesh is underpinned by a fanatical, albeit long-suffering, supporter base.

When questioned whether the immense pressure and fervent local passion might prove overwhelming, the newly unveiled manager dismissed the notion entirely, pivoting instead to a demand for pragmatic ambition from his squad.

"No, it doesn't matter, I am ready for it," he stated firmly. "But we have to be realistic. I always tell my players and the federation—we can achieve anything if the target is realistic. And we haven't won anything for how many years, 23 years? Now is the time to show something."

For a national setup currently languishing in the lower echelons of the global hierarchy, Dooley's immediate objective is as clear as it is challenging.

Using the backdrop of the awards ceremony to send a direct message to his new dressing room, he outlined his vision for climbing the FIFA rankings.

"Before receiving an award, you have to work hard. To achieve anything in life, you must sacrifice something. And with those who are willing to do that, we can be successful. Therefore, my target is to get into the 160 or 150 bracket in the rankings. It won't happen overnight. It is a long process."

The tactical framework for this ascent, Dooley explained, will be rooted deeply in psychological resilience and a complete cultural reset.

"I have also written a book—'The Truth About Success in Soccer That No One Teaches'. There are four main pillars mentioned in it, and one of them is mentality. And mentality doesn't change suddenly; it is your way of thinking. We have to think about football and understand what we need to do, only then can we achieve anything. The target must be realistic. Dropping below 160 is realistic, but it's not possible tomorrow; perhaps it's possible within a year."

Dooley’s appointment marks the culmination of an exhaustive recruitment process by the federation, one that whittled down over 250 initial applications and ultimately pivoted away from primary target Chris Coleman over irreconcilable agent fees.

Securing a manager with 43 years of elite global experience including World Cup pedigree both on the pitch and in the dugout alongside Jurgen Klinsmann represents a pragmatic coup ahead of the crucial international friendly against San Marino in early June.