Lutfi’s coaching career left high and dry

After four years of service, KRL decide against renewing his contract.


Natasha Raheel March 22, 2015
Outgoing KRL coach has produced players such as Muhammad Adil, Kaleemullah and Saddam Hussain, who became part of the first homegrown batch to sign contracts with foreign clubs. STOCK IMAGE

KARACHI: At the age of 63, when all you have invested in comes to an end, when your services are no long required, the harsh reality of the situation is almost unbearable to come to terms with.

Outgoing KRL coach Tariq Lutfi was told this week his contract would not be renewed this season with the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) outfit after serving the club for four years, winning four PPFL titles.

He produced players such as Muhammad Adil, Kaleemullah and Saddam Hussain, who became part of the first homegrown batch to sign contracts with foreign clubs.

“It’s strange because if no one hires me, this will be the first time in 36 years that I won’t be a part of the league,” Lutfi told The Express Tribune. The outgoing coach further said that Pakistan had been encouraged by FIFA and the continental body after KRL became the first Pakistani club to reach the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup final in 2013.

“I made history with the club,” he said. According to Lutfi, he had been feeling left out from the internal affairs of KRL, which had given him an idea of what his future held. “I felt the rift.

Of course KRL didn’t do as well as they had in the past, finishing sixth out of 12 teams this season. However, our key players have left for foreign clubs and making a new team requires time and vision.”

Where it all began

Lutfi said he left his career as a footballer with PIA to become a coach back in the 1980s.

The 63-year-old recalls leaving for England with three other participants for a coaching course at the suggestion of his departmental manager.

“I was one of the first people to think along those lines and went to England, Brazil, Germany and many other places to get FIFA certifications.

The idea was to get players coming from educated backgrounds into coaching and development work.”

He dropped out of bachelors to finish his coaching course, after which he undertook a master’s degree in political science. “This is what football meant to me.”

Lutfi became the national team coach in 1985, and on FIFA’s recommendation, continued to hold the position till 2004. His achievements include wining the South Asian gold medal in 1989, 1991 and 2004 with the national side.

Published in The Express Tribune, March  21st,  2015.

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