Gohar calls for a long-term reset in Pakistan football

Pakistan football needs to stop relying on short-term fixes and build a system based on merit, stability and genuine player development, senior coach and former international Gohar Zaman said.

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I strongly believe constantly changing coaches negatively affects the national team. Football is not a short-term project but it needs time, trust, consistency, and a clear philosophy.

Gohar criticised the frequent changes of national team coaches, saying they weaken authority and make it harder to build relationships with players or establish a clear playing model. “I strongly believe constantly changing coaches negatively affects the national team. Football is not a short-term project but it needs time, trust, consistency, and a clear philosophy,” he told The Express Tribune.

“Coaching is not magic; it takes time to build a team,” Gohar said, pointing to Spain as an example of consistency and a football philosophy developed from youth level to the senior team. Pakistan, he added, should look beyond one tour or tournament and give a coach the time and authority to build a team culture. “If we keep changing coaches, we keep starting from zero. Pakistan football needs stability, vision, and long-term commitment, not another temporary solution.”

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Coaching is not magic; it takes time to build a team.

Gohar also questioned the country’s technical structure, including the academy model associated with Pakistan Football Federation Director Technical Adeel Rizki and team manager Shahzeb Khan. The pair have established academies in Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad under city-based names.

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If we keep changing coaches, we keep starting from zero. Pakistan football needs stability, vision, and long-term commitment, not another temporary solution.

He said the director of technical affairs should be appointed strictly on qualifications, experience, competence and merit because the role influences national-team coaching, player development and the overall football philosophy. Academies, he said, should be judged by the players they produce and the opportunities they create, not simply by the number of fee-paying youngsters. “If the main focus is simply collecting fee from players, for example, around Rs 10,000 per player, then I don't believe that alone can be called a national football development strategy.” Gohar also urged patience and independence for foreign coach Nolberto Solano, saying overseas coaches need time to understand Pakistan’s football environment.

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If the main focus is simply collecting fee from players, for example, around Rs 10,000 per player, then I don't believe that alone can be called a national football development strategy.