It is expected that in the near term the Portuguese specialist Paulo Bento will be appointed head coach of the Uzbekistan National football team. The outlet Kun.uz posted on its YouTube page a video in which a number of well-known sports specialists expressed opinions on this situation. Below the thoughts voiced by sports analyst Alisher Nikimbayev in this clip are presented in an expanded form.
According to Nikimbayev, the appointment of Paulo Bento to the national team is not a surprise. “It is natural that someone may have the question ‘why exactly Bento?’. In my view, already 2—2.5 months earlier it was clear that a coach from abroad would come to our national team. First, reports about Joachim Löw appeared — the German outlet ‘Bild’ wrote about this, there was even support at the embassy level. I mean that the decision to bring a coach from abroad was made not only in the UFA, but also somewhere at the level of the country’s sports leadership; therefore, foreign missions also entered into cooperation. Why not a local coach? Because the main goal at the World Cup is not only participation, but to get out of the group and show oneself within the game. Our leadership considers that reaching this stage with a local coach is difficult. Therefore a foreign specialist is being chosen,” he says.
When speaking about Bento’s experience in Asia, Nikimbayev voiced a counter-argument to the criticism referring to the results in the UAE: “Someone may say ‘he worked unsuccessfully in the UAE’, however the level of our footballers is higher than that of the UAE national team. In South Korea he did not work badly — despite losing to Ghana at the 2022 World Cup, he fulfilled the task of advancing from a difficult group where there were Portugal and Uruguay. For Asian national teams, simply overcoming the group stage is not easy, you know.”
The specialist also touched on the Kapadze topic: “My Korean acquaintances said they regretted Bento’s leaving. The question is this — why are we bringing Bento without keeping Kapadze? Our leadership trusts an experienced foreign coach. In the list there are also older coaches who have shown results at major tournaments. Although Kapadze led the national team to the Olympics, many think that due to lack of experience he could not make a result at that competition. But nevertheless Kapadze must remain on the staff — at least as an assistant coach or in another position. Because the incoming foreign coach may not immediately know our football ecosystem, mentality, and the specifics of the domestic league.”
Alisher Nikimbayev also said that clarity is needed regarding the contract horizon and planning: “For how many years will the agreement with Bento be? Only for WC–2026 or up to the next cycle? Because half a year after the World Cup the Asian Cup is standing — who will lead our national team to this tournament? Is there a full and continuous plan in the association? So far I have not heard a clear answer, perhaps it will become known in the coming days.”
In conclusion: there is no benefit from objections — Bento’s arrival is almost certain. The opportunity to give him a full assessment will appear in the process of preparation for the World Cup. Against the background of the failure in the UAE, calling him a “bad coach” is incorrect; success at the World Cup with South Korea is a big plus. To advance from one group with Portugal, Uruguay, and Ghana is a big deed. At the same time, Bento’s teams are attacking, inclined to pressing, but require clarity in defense — here the help of the local staff is important. The rest is in the court of the stadium and time: the goal is clear, and the path is measured by plan, discipline, and patience.
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