However, most fans would agree that the best coaches are those who are able to get the most out of their players.[break]
"Knowing players´ potential, building up a team and establishing a playing trend are the tough jobs assigned to a coach," said Bhim Thapa, senior football coach and technical director of All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). "Only trained coaches can handle all these issues," he added.
However, the universal truth has no meaning in Nepali club football. Among the 16 clubs that participated in the recently concluded British Gurkha Cup, six were managed by coaches who have never attended coaching courses.
Hari Khadka (Nepal Police), Nabin Parajuli (Saraswati), Narendra Shrestha (United Youth), Kiran Shrestha (Bauddha), Bikram Lama (Swayambhu) and Samir Gurung (Brigade Boys) have never taken any coaching course. On the other hand, Raja Ram Karki (Jawalakhel) and Madhu Karki (Ranipokhari Corner Team) are yet to receive license despite having attended the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) ´C´ level coaching course.
"Any club needs a licensed coach to participate in international and AFC-affiliated tournaments," said Sanjeeb Mishra, development director of ANFA. The rule means if domestic league champions Nepal Police Club (NPC) continue with Hari Khadka, he cannot take charge of the club in the upcoming AFC President´s Cup.
"As our coach Birat Krishna Shrestha took rest, I had to look after the club temporarily. I could be good in practical matters but I have yet to learn many theoretical aspects," said NPC coach Khadka. "I´m going to attend AFC coaching courses soon," he added.
"The clubs have at least recognized that they need a coach. It is a big stride in Nepali club football, whoever they come up with," said coach Thapa with a thinly veiled satire. "We need changes in clubs´ structure and management system to leap forward," he added.
On the other hand, many club officials replied that they have participated in knockout tournaments only to build up their teams for the upcoming league and have yet to appoint coaches for the league. "Most of the clubs are always in a financial crunch and so can not hire licensed coaches. Meanwhile, licensed coaches often reject proposals from clubs with small budget and non-star players," said Rajendra Neupane, president of Saraswati Club. "As for our club, we will manage a licensed coach for the league," he added.
There are coaches in Nepal with AFC ´B´ and ´C´, FA ´B´ and National Institute of Sports (NIS, Patiala, India) licenses. ANFA has employed around 60 coaches in several districts and regions. Likewise, around two dozen coaches are associated with National Sports Council. However, clubs are mostly managed by local enthusiasts and their former players, not by coaches.
"Good players are not always good coaches," said Mishra, also a football analyst. "A coach should be technically and tactically sound and quick enough to handle a team," he added.
Coaches are necessary for the development of the game. But, ANFA is least bothered about persuading clubs to sign licensed coaches. ANFA has restricted its role to either running AFC courses or nominating a few former players for those courses.
"ANFA is running AFC ´B´ license course in February and AFC ´C´ license course in November 2011 for producing more coaches," said Lalit Krishna Shrestha, spokesperson for ANFA.
The licensed coaches also lack refresher courses. Mishra recalled a conversation with former national footballer Umesh Pradhan.
Pradhan, who is currently residing in the US, once called Mishra and said, "I played for a decade and also attended coaching classes in Nepal, but when I attended courses in the US I found myself incompetent. We used to instruct players about ´running with the ball´ but they are even talking about ´turning with the ball´ here in the US."
After recollecting the conversation, Mishra highlighted the necessity of ´refresher course´ for the licensed coaches.
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