By Sachit Subba • Football • Jun 05, 2025 06:13 AM • 122 views
KATHMANDU — In a groundbreaking move for women's football in the country, the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) has appointed Belgian tactician Patrick de Wilde as the new head coach of the Nepal national women's team — marking the first time a foreign manager has officially taken the reins of the senior side.
The 60-year-old UEFA Pro License holder was selected from a shortlist of two final candidates by ANFA's coach selection committee. De Wilde's prior experience in Nepali football, along with his broad international coaching résumé, reportedly gave him the edge.
"He has a strong understanding of Nepali football and brings international pedigree to the table," an ANFA official told Media following the announcement. "His familiarity with the football culture here was a decisive factor."
De Wilde will make his debut on the touchline during a crucial fixture — Nepal's opening match of the AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, set to take place in Uzbekistan later this month. The Gorkhalis will face Laos on June 29 in their first Group F match, followed by encounters against Sri Lanka and hosts Uzbekistan. Only the group winner will advance to the final tournament in Australia.
Ranked 99th in the latest FIFA women's rankings, Nepal holds a slight advantage over Laos, who sit at 107th. The road to qualification, however, will be anything but easy, with the technically superior Uzbekistan and unpredictable Sri Lanka rounding out the group.
For De Wilde, the assignment represents both a challenge and an opportunity to leave a mark on a side still seeking its first major international breakthrough. No stranger to Nepal, the Belgian previously managed Kathmandu Rayzrs during the second edition of the Nepal Super League (NSL). Despite showing flashes of tactical sharpness, his side narrowly missed out on the playoffs due to goal difference, finishing just behind Pokhara Thunders. His global coaching journey has taken him across continents — from managing national teams such as Somalia and Rwanda to serving as assistant coach for the China U-23 side and senior national teams in Algeria and Hungary. As Nepal gears up for the qualifiers, expectations will be high not just for results but for a new playing identity. And with Patrick de Wilde at the helm, ANFA is betting on experience, structure, and a fresh vision to take the women's game to the next level.
