“It a very emotional moment for me. The players are like a family to me as I have been staying with them for the last three months,” the former Chelsea and Tottenham player said. “However, I am tired and need mental rest.”[break]
Roberts´ term expired after he successfully guided Nepal to the final round of AFC Challenge Cup on Monday on home ground. Nepal made it to the final round after 2008 as the runners-up from group D, finishing behind North Korea. Roberts had signed a three-month long coaching deal with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) on February earlier this year.
Though Roberts´ term has expired he still is interested in looking after the Nepali team. “I like this country and the people here are very friendly.”
Within a short span of time, Roberts had built very cordial relations with the players of the squad. “The players and the media are friendly,” said Roberts, who had been staying at Hotel Crowne Plaza, Naxal along with the players.
Roberts will return to Nepal after six weeks if his agent and ANFA reach an agreement regarding his term extension.
“Though my future in Nepal entirely depends on the ANFA president and my agent, I am sure they will reach an agreement. The decision is likely to be taken in the upcoming three weeks.”
Impressed by his working style, ANFA has also shown interest in extending his term but is yet to take the decision.
Not only Roberts but almost members of the squad are hopeful that Roberts contract as the coach of Nepali team would be extended.
Nepal are competing in the World Cup qualifiers, SAFF Championship as well as AFC U-16 and U-19 qualifiers later this year.
Roberts has expressed his desire to stay in Nepal until the final round of Challenge Cup to be held on March 2012.
About Nepali team
Roberts praised Nepali football team saying that the team consists of talented players. “We have very talented boys in the squad and the defense-line up is the best.”
Regarding his achievement, Roberts said, “I have made the boys confident and instilled in them a winning mentality.”
“I made them qualify and gave them a positive mind,” Roberts said.
Talking about his weakness he said, “I had expected to score more goals in the Challenge Cup qualifiers but we could score only one goal in three matches.”
He suggested to the Nepali team to increase speed level and pointed out the need of more improvement in midfield and finishing. Midfielders and strikers should work hard. Strikers have to hit the target. “If I get term extension, my first emphasis will be to make the midfield and forward better.”
Taking to players, he said, “If you want to do better you should work hard. You should try to take yourself to the next height in every game you play.”
“If you develop the right attitude you can go a long way.”
He also said that he will take moral responsibility of the brawl between his players Shiva Shrestha and Anil Ojha in Pokhara after the second friendly match against Bhutan.
He suggested that his forwards -- Santosh Sahukhala, Jumanu Rai and Bharat Khawas -- need to work under pressure. He also suggested to Sahukhala to maintain fitness.
Regarding football fans in Nepal, he said, “Nepal is a football mad country like England and I am surely going to miss them.”
He also praised team manager Krishna Bhakta Manandhar for being friendly and supportive to him and his team.
Players´ opinion about coach
Sagar Thapa (captain): He was not only a coach, but also a father figure. He created a very favorable environment in the camp and now we have brotherly relation with the teammates.
Sandip Rai (defender): For the first time we enjoyed the camp to this extent. The coach was very friendly with us and tried to deal with us individually as well.
Kiran Chemjong (goalkeeper): I have no desire to leave this hotel and the coach. I wish the coach had his contract extended.
Nirajan Khadka (midfielder): Every member of the squad fulfilled their duty to the best of their abilities. We learnt a lot of new things from the coach.
Roberts´ achievement
Nepal played five international matches under Roberts´ coaching, and achieved victory in three, lost one and played draw in another. Nepal beat Bhutan in two official friendly matches with the score of 1-0 and 2-1. In the Challenge Cup, Nepal beat Afghanistan 1-0, lost 1-0 to 2010 World Cup finalist North Korea and played a goalless draw against Sri Lanka.
Hotel felicitate player, coach
Hotel Crown Plaza, where the football team had stayed for three months during the close camp, felicitated the players and the coach. Owner of the hotel Yubaraj Shrestha provided the team with a purse of Rs 50,550. He also handed over a token of love to the coach. “It is a small token of love from the hotel and I hope it would motivate the players to do better in the future.”
Meanwhile, Krishna Bhakta Manandhar, the manager of the team also presented a token of love to the coach on behalf of ANFA.
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