Former Bangladesh national football team coach Lodewijk de Kruif started the trend of playing expatriate footballers in the Bangladesh national team by introducing Jamal Bhuyan. Nowadays there are four expatriate footballers on the national team.
Lodewijk de Kruif, who was in charge of the Bangladesh national football team from January 2013 to October 2014, is happy with the improvement of Jamal Bhuyan alongside other footballers of the Bangladesh national football team.
Sitting in the Netherlands, the former coach attended a virtual interview with Dhaka Post, where various aspects of Bangladesh football have been discussed. Besides, several issues like Kruif’s responsibility during the Bangladesh period, the current condition of Bangladesh football, and the ways to improve football in Bangladesh have also been discussed.
Dhaka Post: You started the process to include expatriate footballers in Bangladesh national team. Now there are four expatriate players on the national team. Will it bring long-term success or it is just solving the current problems? What do you think?
Lodewijk de Kruif: I do believe it will improve the country’s football for a long time. When the young and ambitious national players got the opportunity to play alongside quality expatriate players, it will boost their minds both off and on the field. Besides, it will play a significant role to improve the country’s FIFA ranking. Introducing expatriate players will give Bangladesh, a sleeping giant, more publicity worldwide.
Dhaka Post: You first include Jamal Bhuiya in the national team. Now, he is the captain and the biggest football star in Bangladesh. How do you feel?
Lodewijk de Kruif: In the meantime, Jamal became a great player and he is still improving. He is a role model for the young and ambitious talents of Bangladesh. I am so proud of him.
Dhaka Post: Is introducing expatriates in Bangladesh national team encourage the local players to improve more. What is your opinion regarding this?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Of course, there is a lot of chances for local players to improve themselves mentally by playing alongside the expatriate. The experience of expatriate footballers will play a role in the development of local footballers. Besides, local footballers can also help expatriate footballers in adapting to the situation, weather and food habit.
Dhaka Post: In your perspective, what was the difference between local and expatriate footballers?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Both local and expatriate footballers are strong both physically and mentally. They have a winning mentality in any adverse situation. From a technical point of view, expatriates are very disciplined.
Dhaka Post: Bangladesh is unable to find glory even in the South Asian region for a long time. In your point of view, what are the problems there?
Lodewijk de Kruif: If you want success, you need to make a combination of both learning and experience. You need to keep an extra priority on the fitness of the footballers. Besides, you need to improve the quality of local leagues.
Dhaka Post: According to football experts, there are many talents at the grassroots level. How Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) can pick them? What is your suggestion?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Yes, I am convinced about that, with over 200 million people in Bangladesh, talents are guaranteed. The Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Protishtan (BKSP) have done a tremendous job but they can’t it cover all. A good, solid football education program, starts from 8-10 years, is necessary. In the Netherlands, we are specialized in this area, one of the best worldwide.
Dhaka Post: Do you think Bangladesh’s player Scouting is on the right track?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Of course, scouting talents is a never-ending job. As coach or director, it’s your duty to scouting talents.
Dhaka Post: Is Bangladesh football is keeping the same pace and rhythm as modern football? If not, what is the reason?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Obviously, there are scopes for improvement. The level of the team must make a few steps up. You need to do it step by step, for this, make a 5-10 years plan.
Dhaka Post: There are many controversial stories about your departure as a Bangladesh coach. What happened actually?
Lodewijk de Kruif: I have no idea about those stories. I left Bangladesh as my contract was finished. At that moment, I was keen to work with Bangladesh for 5-10 more years. And that time was necessary for improvement, all this I discussed with Mr. Salahuddin.
Dhaka Post: What do you think, is BFF enough professional in the highest level of football?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Yes, I do believe that they are professional enough at the highest level of football. Mr. Salahuddin is very much capable to run BFF properly. Other officials and staffs of BFF are sufficient enough to make the right decisions for the development of the country’s football.
Dhaka Post: There are some allegations like you trained boys really hard, which guided them to more injury. What is your opinion regarding this?
Lodewijk de Kruif: As a coach, it’s your duty to bring players to a certain level. As a result, hard work is a must. My working relationship with the medical staff was very good, I’m still in contact with them. I cannot find any serious injury in my personal reviews.
Dhaka Post: Do you wish to return to Bangladesh again?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Considering both football and personal reasons, the answer is yes. There is a lot of things to be done in Bangladesh as I mentioned earlier. Besides, I have lots of friends in Bangladesh, with whom I contacted regularly. From my perspective, Bangladesh is my second home.
Dhaka Post: Do you want to address something to Bangladeshi people?
Lodewijk de Kruif: Bangladesh is a promising country. Best regards to Bangladeshi people. Stay safe and healthy.
