Syed Nayeemuddin

Calcutta: Former national coach Syed Nayeemuddin is set to become the first Indian to take charge of a foreign national team after his appointment as Bangladesh coach was finalised on Sunday.

“It is the greatest honour of my life,” Nayeemuddin, currently the coach of the Dhaka Club Brothers’ Union, told The Telegraph.

According to Nayeemuddin, the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) had offered him the job two weeks back and on Sunday the final decision was made. The paper work is expected to be completed in a couple of days.

Nayeem’s first assignment with the Bangladesh team is likely to be the ONGC Cup to be held in Delhi in August.

“We have to work hard… Playing with strong opponents will help us learn new things. Sincerity will be the core word for us,” he stated.

He is likely to be in charge of the team till the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) championship in December.

Nayeem said: “I intend working 24 hours. I am thankful to everybody who helped me reach this stage.”