Patrick De Wilde has officially stepped in as the head coach of the Nepal women’s football team with a clear vision, tough attitude, and a direct message to football authorities—support and invest, or he won’t stick around.
The Belgian tactician, known for his extensive coaching experience across Europe, Asia, and Africa, made his stance clear during his first press conference in Kathmandu. While the challenge of leading the Nepal women’s football team is new, Wilde is focused on results, not promises.
Patrick De Wilde
- Nationality: Belgian
- Team Appointed: Nepal Women’s National Football Team
- Contract Duration: 1 Year
- Press Conference Date: June 6, 2025
- Competition Target: AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers 2025
- Previous Role: Coach, Kathmandu Rayzrs FC (Nepal Super League)
No Trophy Talk Yet, Just Realism
“I can’t say right now whether I’ll win trophies with this team,” said Patrick De Wilde. “I haven’t even met the players in person yet. Let me train with them for a week, and then I’ll tell you more about what we can achieve together.”
Wilde’s realistic approach marks a change in tone for Nepal’s women’s football team, who have suffered 13 heartbreaking losses in tournament finals over the years. For Patrick De Wilde, who previously coached Kathmandu Rayzrs FC in the Nepal Super League, the decision to take on the national team role wasn’t just emotional—it was instinctive.
“The feeling was good. I had a positive experience in Nepal during the Super League, and leading a national side was always an important goal for me,” he said.
An Experienced Voice in Asian Football
Patrick De Wilde began his coaching career in 1999 in Belgium. Since then, he has coached clubs in Ukraine, China, Austria, and Tunisia. His national team experience includes working with Algeria, Hungary, and Lithuania. Wilde also served as an assistant coach for China’s U23 team at the Asian Cup.
Now, as the head coach of the Nepal women’s football team, Wilde takes on his first full-time senior national team assignment. His focus is on building a squad that reflects hard work, unity, and readiness for the Asian Cup qualifiers 2025.
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Backroom Staff & Support
The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) confirmed that Rajendra Tamang and Bhagawati Thapa will assist Wilde, while Suraj Kumar Lama will be the goalkeeping coach. ANFA, however, did not reveal the financial terms of Wilde’s contract, citing mutual agreement for confidentiality.
Wilde emphasized that modern football is not a solo effort. “Assistant coaches are not just there to set up cones. Football today is about teamwork—on and off the pitch,” he said.
Developing the Nepal Women’s Football Team
Wilde arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday and was already at the ANFA Complex on Friday, observing the U-20 women’s training session. Impressed by what he saw, he immediately called up a few U-20 players to join the senior training camp.
“Some of these young players have a natural football sense,” said Patrick De Wilde. “If you don’t search for new talent, you’ve already failed. My players must earn their place and play with determination.”
Wilde plans to meet the players in his first training session, which he promised will soon be open to the media. “Football has no secrets,” he said. “That’s the most beautiful thing about the game.”
Big Goals, But No Time for Excuses
Patrick De Wilde has a clear goal—guide the Nepal women’s football team to their first-ever AFC Women’s Asian Cup appearance. In the qualifiers starting June 29, Nepal will face Laos, Sri Lanka, and hosts Uzbekistan.
“We must focus first on Laos and Sri Lanka,” Wilde noted. “Uzbekistan is strong, but we can beat them. We have to believe and prepare properly.”
But Wilde made it equally clear—he’s not here to waste time.
“You can’t expect big results if you’re not ready to work and invest. If things hold me back, I won’t waste my time,” he warned.
A Coach for a Team writing a New Chapter
Patrick De Wilde’s arrival brings fresh hope for the Nepal women’s football team as they prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualifiers 2025. While the Belgian coach isn’t promising miracles, his experience, straight-talking attitude, and focus on youth development could be exactly what Nepal needs to finally break their streak of final heartbreaks.
Whether Nepal’s women’s football team rises to the challenge will depend not just on Wilde’s tactics, but also on ANFA’s commitment to long-term development, serious investment, and full support.