Why Coach Patrick De Wild Didn’t Return with the Nepali Women’s Football Team — and What’s Next?

When the Nepali women’s national football team arrived home on Monday after competing in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers in Uzbekistan, there was one noticeable absence—head coach Patrick De Wild. While the team returned to Kathmandu, De Wild flew to his home country, Belgium, according to the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA).

Nepal had gone to Uzbekistan hoping to qualify for the Asian Cup. But their journey ended in disappointment after losing to the host nation in a penalty shootout. Nepal finished second in Group F and failed to qualify.

Though it's not unusual for foreign coaches to return separately, De Wild’s decision not to come back with the squad seems to point to deeper internal issues.

Signs of Conflict in the Team?

Beyond the on-field loss, behind-the-scenes tension appears to have played a part—especially around the team captaincy. Reports suggest disagreements between the coach and team management, with confusion over leadership affecting team dynamics.

When the squad returned, most players and staff, including coaching officials, avoided speaking to the media. Only newly appointed captain Sabitra Bhandari was seen engaging with reporters. ANFA General Secretary Kiran Rai acknowledged the disappointment, stating, “The team played well but lost technically in penalties,” and stressed the need to focus on future tournaments.

As for De Wild’s sudden departure, ANFA hasn’t offered a clear explanation. “The coach has gone home. We haven’t had a chance to talk since the final game,” said Rai. Regarding his future, Rai added, “He was appointed for a year, but we don’t know how he feels after the result. We’ll talk when he returns.”

Coach's Concerns and Breakdown in Communication

Sources within ANFA say De Wild has already sent a letter expressing his dissatisfaction, though its contents remain confidential. However, it's clear he was unhappy with how things were being managed. His decision not to return with the team—even after a loss—suggests serious frustration.

Currently, there are no international fixtures scheduled for the women’s team. After missing out on the Asian Cup, World Cup, and Olympic qualification, they now look ahead only to the SAFF Championship and possible friendly matches. There is no clear plan for what comes next.

Captaincy Confusion

Before the team left for Uzbekistan, ANFA hadn’t announced who the team captain would be. Just before the first match against Laos, Renuka Nagarkoti was named captain. But on the field, it was Sabitra Bhandari who wore the armband.

Insiders say De Wild delayed submitting the captain’s name until just an hour before kickoff. This led the management to temporarily assign Renuka. ANFA’s social media initially listed Renuka as captain, but Sabitra ended up leading the team for all three matches.

Adding to the confusion, goalkeeper and former captain Anjila Tumbapo Subba didn’t play in any of the games, with Anjana Rana Magar taking her place. Sources suggest Anjila’s absence was part of the reason for the captaincy switch.

Despite the drama, ANFA hasn’t confirmed whether Sabitra will remain captain going forward. General Secretary Rai said the issue will be reviewed with coaches and players. He also stated that Sabitra was the vice-captain and only stepped up in Anjila’s absence—though ANFA never officially named her vice-captain before the tournament.

In short, a mix of poor communication, internal rifts, and disappointing results has left the women’s national team in an uncertain state—both on and off the field.