Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal has sparked discussions on the future of the national cricket team’s coaching structure. While a large section of fans are calling for a local head coach, Tamim firmly believes that no Bangladeshi coach is ready for the top job. In his view, foreign expertise at the helm, supported by local coaches, is the way forward for Bangladesh cricket to grow.

Speaking in an interview with Sportstar, Tamim stressed that while Bangladesh has capable coaches, they are not yet suitable to take on the role of head coach. Instead, he sees them better suited as assistant coaches, working under the guidance of a foreign head coach.

Tamim’s comments come as Chandika Hathurusingha, the current head coach, faces uncertainty about his future. Although Hathurusingha’s contract runs until the upcoming Champions Trophy, recent remarks by new BCB president Faruque Ahmed have cast doubt on whether the contract will be extended after the tournament.

On the subject of coaching, Tamim said, “I don’t believe anyone in Bangladesh is currently capable of becoming the head coach. At the moment, there are two or three who are capable of becoming assistant coaches, but I don’t think they are suited for the head coach role.”

He went on to advocate for a more balanced coaching staff, suggesting a 70:30 ratio in favor of local coaches. “There should be a 70:30 ratio in Bangladesh’s coaching staff, where you have an overseas head coach and perhaps two foreign coaches, while the remaining 70 per cent of the assistant coaches should be from Bangladesh. This approach would help groom local coaches so that, one day, they can step up as head coach.”

Tamim also advised the BCB to avoid chasing "big names" when selecting coaches, stating that a coach’s reputation doesn’t necessarily translate to success for the team. He emphasized the need for finding individuals who are not only hard-working but also able to contribute something unique to the team’s development.

“Bangladesh should stop chasing big names, as not all well-known figures make good coaches for the team. They need to identify candidates who are suitable for Bangladesh cricket. The individual should be hardworking and able to add value to the team,” Tamim remarked.

Tamim highlighted the example of India’s current coaching staff, which includes Gautam Gambhir as head coach, Abhishek Nayar, and Ryan ten Doeschate as assistants. He pointed out that ten Doeschate may not be a globally renowned figure, but his value to India’s coaching setup comes from his hard work and ability to contribute behind the scenes.

“Is Ryan Ten Doeschate a massive name in world cricket? Yet he is still part of India’s coaching staff. We need people like him who will work behind the scenes. Is Abhishek Nayar a world beater? So why did the BCCI offer him the role of assistant coach? It’s because he has something to contribute to the team. From what I have heard, he has done incredibly well with several teams and has worked closely with many Indian cricketers. We need to find such people instead of focussing on big names,” Tamim explained.

Although not part of the Bangladesh squad for their ongoing tour of India, Tamim is still involved in the series, this time as a commentator. His insights on the state of Bangladesh cricket, both on and off the field, continue to generate interest among fans and experts alike.