The Fiji Football Association (Fiji FA) is poised to appoint a new head coach for the national men’s football team this Friday. The chosen candidate will be a foreign coach required to live and work full-time in Fiji, marking a shift from previous arrangements where coaches were based overseas and only visited occasionally. Fiji FA President Rajesh Patel emphasized that having a coach domiciled in Fiji is essential for the development of players and achieving broader football goals.
Despite two local coaches, Marika Rodu and Sunil Kumar, holding the necessary OFC A-licenses, they were not among the five shortlisted candidates. Both are currently dedicated to their commitments, with Kumar focusing on preparing the U-17 national team for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, and Rodu expressing no interest in the position at this time.
Initially, the association had shortlisted six overseas candidates, but one was eliminated from contention due to their inability to relocate to Fiji on a full-time basis. This upcoming appointment comes at a time when the Fiji FA is actively working to revamp its football structure. The previous coach, Rob Sherman, was unable to meet performance expectations during his tenure, highlighted by a 7-0 loss to New Zealand during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Oceania qualifiers.
As Fiji prepares for an international tour to Thailand in August, there is a sense of urgency in securing new leadership. Alongside the appointment of a new head coach, there are plans to hire a technical director soon, further indicating Fiji FA’s commitment to overhauling its strategy and improving outcomes in future matches.
This concerted effort to institute changes in coaching is part of a broader strategy that includes youth development and preparation for significant upcoming tournaments. The renewed focus and structural changes offer a hopeful outlook for the future of Fijian football, fostering optimism for both players and fans.
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