Bahrain names Sanchez as coach ahead of Asia Cup
Bahrain has appointed Felix Sanchez as its national football team manager ahead of the 2027 Asia Cup, the Bahrain Football Association announced. The move follows Bahrain’s exit from the Gulf Cup and a coaching change that aims to improve results in upcoming Asian competition.
What changed
The Bahrain Football Association (BFA) named Felix Sanchez as the head coach of the Bahrain national team. Sanchez previously coached Qatar, leading them to win the 2019 Asian Cup and guiding Qatar to its first World Cup appearance in 2022. He will start his duties officially during the international break in November.
Who is affected
The decision affects the Bahrain national team, its staff, and fans who follow Asia Cup qualifying and group-stage matches. It comes after Bahrain dismissed former coach Dragan Talajic following a poor Gulf Cup showing, where the team lost all three group games. Players selected for national duties in November will work with the new coach during the international window.
Practical next steps
Expect announcements of Sanchez’s coaching staff and any adjustments to training camps ahead of Asia Cup preparations. Bahrain will compete in Group B at the Asia Cup, alongside Jordan, North Korea, and Uzbekistan. Supporters should follow official BFA statements for the schedule and venue details during the group stage, and for any further squad updates as November approaches.
Limits and questions
Details about contract length, compensation, and tactical plans have not been disclosed in the cited source. How Bahrain’s new coach intends to address the Gulf Cup’s earlier results, and whether there will be a longer-term coaching strategy tied to 2027 Asia Cup performance, remain to be seen from official BFA communications.
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- straitstimes.com — evidence source reviewed for this article.
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