Senior coach and former international urges merit, stability and stronger player development
Gohar Zaman says Pakistan football needs to break away from short-term fixes. Photo: Instagram
KARACHI:
Pakistan’s senior football coach and former international Gohar Zaman on Saturday said that the country’s football needs to break away from short-term fixes, stressing it rather needs a system based on merit, coaching stability, and genuine player development.
Gohar questioned the way key technical positions are filled, criticised the frequent changes of national team coaches and warned that Pakistan could not build a competitive side without giving coaches time to develop a clear philosophy.
“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,” Gohar told The Express Tribune in an interview.
He said that frequent changes weaken the coach’s authority and make it difficult to build relationships, develop players, and implement a proper playing model.
“Coaching is not magic; it takes time to build a team,” said Gohar.
“Spain is a great example of how consistency and a clear football philosophy can develop from youth level to the senior team. For Pakistan, we need to think beyond one tour or tournament. Give a coach the time and authority to build a team and culture. If we keep changing coaches, we keep starting from zero. Pakistan football needs stability, vision, and long-term commitment, not another temporary solution.”
Gohar also raised concerns over the country’s technical structure and the academy model associated with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) Director Technical Adeel Rizki and Pakistan team manager Shahzeb Khan. They have established academies in various cities in the name of Karachi City, Peshawar City, Lahore City and Islamabad City.
“For me, this is a very important position because the Director Technical is essentially the head of the technical body. He has a major influence on national team coaching, player development, technical direction and the overall football philosophy. Therefore, such a position should be based purely on qualifications, experience, competence and merit,” Gohar said.
He said academies should be judged by the players they produce and the opportunities they create rather than simply the number of youngsters paying fee.
“If the main focus is simply collecting fee from players, for example, around Rs 10,000 per player, then I don’t believe that alone can be called a national football development strategy.”
Gohar also urged patience with foreign coach Nolberto Solano, saying overseas coaches needed time and independence to understand Pakistan’s football environment.
“From my experience working with foreign coaches, both as a player and an assistant coach, the issue is often not their ability, but the influence around them.”
He said foreign-based Pakistani players could provide valuable experience but should not automatically be considered superior to locally developed talent.
“The real difference is development. Many of our players miss the crucial 8–14 age group for technical and tactical development, while our domestic football has also lacked consistency.”
On Pakistan’s prospects in the ASEAN Cup, Gohar acknowledged the strength of Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines but refused to rule out an upset.
“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 said qualifying would be a major achievement, while adding: “Why not Pakistan?”
Zaman declined to directly question Solano’s team selection, saying the coach should have the freedom to implement his own football philosophy.
“Ultimately, the results and performances on the pitch will be the best judge of his selection.”
National footballers will assemble next week to kick-start their preparation for FIFA ASEAN Cup.
This correspondent has learnt that goalkeeping coach Aslam Khan and assistant coach Mehmood Khan have been dropped. They will be replaced by Zahid Taj and Mohammad Habib for the next tour.
This correspondent approached the PFF Director Technical Adeel Rizki and head coach Nolberto Solano but they did not respond.
Adeel Rizki was nowhere in mainstream football when Faisal Saleh Hayat was the PFF supremo. However his career experienced a major shift in Haroon Malik era as Normalisation Committee chairman and now in the current regime under Mohsin Gilani Adeel has become Wahab Riaz of Pakistan football.
