ANFA appoints first Pro Licensed coach for women's squad

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 6: For the first time, Nepal’s national women's football team will be trained by a Pro Licensed coach. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) appointed UEFA Pro Licensed Patrick De Wilde as the head coach on Thursday.

Issuing a press release, ANFA stated, "Patrick De Wilde from Belgium has been appointed as the head coach of the national women's football team."

ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai handed over the appointment letter to the newly appointed coach at the ANFA Complex in Satdobato on Thursday.

ANFA has signed a one-year contract with the Belgian tactician. He will be officially introduced during a press conference on Friday.

Patrick is the second foreign coach to lead Nepal’s women's football team and the first foreign coach with a Pro License.

Patrick replaces Nepali coach Rajendra Tamang, who led Nepal to runner-up finishes in the 2024 WAFF Women's Championship, 2024 SAFF Women's Championship, and 2025 International Women's Championship.

Patrick arrived in Nepal on Thursday morning. He has previously worked in Nepal. In the recent Nepal Super League (NSL), he managed Kathmandu Rayzers, guiding them to a fifth-place finish.

Now, he will take charge of Nepal’s women’s squad for the AFC Women's Asian Cup qualifiers, scheduled to take place in Uzbekistan at the end of June.

ANFA had invited applications for a Pro License-certified coach for the women's team. A total of 21 candidates applied, and ANFA shortlisted two finalists: Patrick De Wilde and Nicola Devine, who had previously coached Bhutan’s national team.

The selection committee ultimately recommended Patrick De Wilde for the role.