The Kuwaiti national head coach of the national football team resigns

Mr. Abdullah Almutairi, who served as the head coach of the Sri Lanka national football team, has decided to resign from his position by mutual agreement, and the Sri Lanka Football Federation is preparing to offer him a new contract to fill that vacancy. Although the talented Kuwaiti national coach confirmed the official end of his service period in a social media post last Friday, Mr. Jaswar Umar, President of the Sri Lanka Football Federation, is highly confident that he will be able to reconnect with the country's football sport.

The President further stated that Almutairi, who joined the Sri Lankan team two years ago after Andy Morrison's departure, has only completed the first phase of his contract, and that he would be able to be brought back to Colombo under new terms after future official discussions.

Football authorities expect Mr. Almutairi to lead the Sri Lankan team in the crucial match against Chinese Taipei in Taipei on March 31st under the 2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers, and no final decision has been made yet regarding alternative actions to be taken if he refuses to return. Mr. Almutairi, 44, who previously coached the Nepal team, announced his resignation, stating that the agreement with the Sri Lanka Football Federation was terminated by mutual understanding, and he thanked everyone who supported him on this journey. In his farewell message, he emphasized that the unwavering support shown by Sri Lankan football fans, as well as the discipline, dedication, and fighting spirit of the players, greatly contributed to his success.

Mr. Almutairi gratefully recalled that due to the trust placed in him and the continuous support provided by Mr. Jaswar Umar, President of the Football Federation, Sri Lanka was able to advance from 207th to 193rd place in the world football rankings. Under his guidance, the Sri Lankan team made significant progress on the international stage, both technically and mentally, and he was able to elevate Sri Lankan football to a level where it could challenge strong teams in the South Asian region. The highest achievement during Mr. Almutairi's tenure, where he worked to enhance the players' physical fitness and tactical discipline, was qualifying for the second round of the 2027 World Cup Qualifiers.

Additionally, under his strategic leadership, Sri Lanka also managed to record a historic 1-0 victory by defeating the strong Turkmenistan team for the first time in a match held in Colombo last October. Almutairi, stating that his two years in Sri Lanka were filled with unforgettable memories, has temporarily bid farewell, wishing well for the future of football in the country. According to football critics, although Almutairi's departure is a great loss, the strong foundation he laid for the national team over the past 24 months will have a decisive impact on the growth of Sri Lankan football in the coming decades.