Patrick De Wilde has officially resigned from his role as the head coach of the Nepal women’s national football team, just a month after taking over. The Belgian coach, who brought over two decades of international coaching experience and a UEFA Pro License, stepped down following serious disagreements with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA). His decision highlights growing concerns about internal politics, lack of transparency, and logistical shortcomings within Nepalese football governance.
Patrick De Wilde, aged 61, was appointed with high expectations due to his UEFA Pro License and extensive international coaching background. His arrival marked a significant step forward for Nepal women’s football, aiming to elevate the team’s competitive standards, especially in major tournaments like the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers.
Coach Patrick De Wilde : Key Details
- Full Name: Patrick De Wilde
- Age: 61
- Nationality: Belgian
- Role: Head Coach – Nepal Women’s National Football Team
- Appointed: June 2025
- Resigned: July 21,2025
- First Major Tournament: AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers
- Key Results: Beat Laos & Sri Lanka; lost to Uzbekistan on penalties
- Coaching License: UEFA Pro License
- Previous Coaching Experience: Ukraine, China, Austria, Tunisia, Algeria, Hungary, Lithuania
- Previous Role: Kathmandu Rayzrs FC Head Coach & Technical Director
- Reason for Resignation: Dispute with ANFA, internal politics, logistical & managerial interference
De Wilde was appointed by ANFA in June 2025 and led the team into the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers. Despite achieving solid performances — including dominant victories over Laos and Sri Lanka where Nepal scored 17 goals without conceding — the team narrowly missed qualification after a penalty shootout defeat to Uzbekistan. While on-field results showed promise, off-field tensions marred De Wilde’s tenure.
One major point of contention was the confusion surrounding team captaincy. During the qualifiers, ANFA officially submitted Renuka Nagarkoti as team captain. However, Sabitra Bhandari wore the armband during match day, causing public confusion. ANFA later blamed De Wilde for failing to inform the governing body on time. This incident became the starting point of a widening rift between the coach and the association.
De Wilde’s resignation stemmed from what he described as ANFA’s constant interference in team operations. He was particularly critical of the lack of professional infrastructure — citing the absence of vital tools like a video analyst, GPS performance tracking, and recovery facilities. The coach also expressed dissatisfaction with the inadequate travel arrangements, poor nutrition, and minimal support staff provided during the qualifiers.
The Belgian openly criticized ANFA in post-tournament interviews, stating he would not consider returning unless there were significant changes in the football association’s working methods. His remarks drew backlash from ANFA, who dismissed the allegations as “miscommunication and misinformation.” Officials suggested the coach should have voiced his concerns internally rather than airing grievances in the media.
Despite the public fallout, ANFA stated that it had received De Wilde’s resignation via email but had not yet accepted it. They claimed they were still seeking clarification before making a final decision. According to an official, a formal response would be issued after an internal meeting, scheduled for the coming week.
This marked De Wilde’s first stint as a women’s football coach, although he has previously managed teams across Europe, Asia, and Africa. His last role before joining the Nepal women’s team included coaching Kathmandu Rayzrs FC in the Nepal Super League, where he also served as technical director and international scout. He was expected to use his experience to uplift the national women’s football setup, but administrative challenges disrupted those plans.
Patrick De Wilde’s resignation leaves a vacuum in the leadership of Nepal’s women’s national team at a critical juncture. With growing interest in women’s football domestically and regionally, Nepal needs stable coaching and strong administrative support to sustain progress.
The brief tenure of a high-profile UEFA Pro License coach like De Wilde exposed challenges within Nepal’s football federation that need urgent attention. Issues related to logistics, player welfare, and transparent communication must be addressed to foster a positive environment for coaches and players alike.
The resignation comes at a time when Nepal women’s football has been gaining traction both regionally and internationally. De Wilde’s exit raises fresh concerns about ANFA’s ability to retain experienced professionals and build long-term strategies for the development of women’s football in Nepal.
As of now, ANFA has not announced a replacement. The federation’s next move will likely determine whether Nepal can build upon its recent performances or face further setbacks in its women’s football ambitions.
FAQs:
Q1: Why did Patrick De Wilde resign as Nepal women’s football coach?
Patrick De Wilde resigned from the Nepal women’s team due to disagreements and internal conflicts with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA), citing interference in coaching decisions, poor logistical support, and internal politics as major reasons.
Q2: How long did Patrick De Wilde coach the Nepal women’s national team?
De Wilde was appointed in June 2025 and resigned in July 2025, resulting in a brief tenure of about one month.
Q3: What were the key achievements of Patrick De Wilde with Nepal’s women’s team?
During the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers, De Wilde’s team won matches against Laos and Sri Lanka convincingly but lost to Uzbekistan on penalties in a decisive fixture.
Q4: What coaching qualifications does Patrick De Wilde hold?
Patrick De Wilde holds a UEFA Pro License and has extensive international coaching experience across several countries, including Ukraine, China, Austria, Tunisia, and more..
Q5: Will Patrick De Wilde return as the Nepal women’s football coach?
As of now, De Wilde has stated he will only consider returning if ANFA implements systemic changes to improve management and support for the women’s team.