The Nepal national football team has appointed a permanent head coach after a nine-month vacancy. The All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) officially named Australian coach Matt Ross as the new head coach on March 2.
Ross had arrived in Nepal a month earlier amid speculation that he would take over as head coach. However, ANFA only confirmed his appointment after a month.
The position had been vacant since the departure of former head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese, whose contract expired in May 2024. ANFA did not extend Annese’s tenure or make any immediate decisions about his replacement. In September 2024, ANFA officially announced it would not renew his contract and later invited applications for the head coach position, receiving over 400 applications before selecting Ross.
During the interim period, Nabin Neupane served as Nepal’s caretaker head coach for two friendly matches against Tajikistan and Afghanistan.
First senior men’s team head coach role for Ross
This is Ross’s first appointment as the head coach of a senior men’s national team. Expressing his excitement, Ross shared his short- and long-term objectives with ANFA TV.
“I am very excited to be Nepal’s head coach,” Ross said. He noted that since arriving in Kathmandu, he has closely followed local tournaments such as the Sahapathi Cup, Women’s International Tournament, and KP Oli Cup.
He also mentioned his enthusiasm for Nepal’s upcoming participation in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, saying, “I am eager to see how we perform.”
Targeting points in Malaysia
Ross’s first task as head coach will be Nepal’s friendly match against Singapore, followed by an AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Malaysia.
Nepal is set to play two matches within three weeks—facing Singapore on March 21 and Malaysia on March 25, both away games.
With limited preparation time, Ross acknowledged the challenge but emphasised the importance of quick adaptation. “Singapore and Malaysia are tough challenges. These first two matches as head coach will be crucial,” he said. “The key is to start training camp early and build relationships with the players.”
Ross highlighted the significance of securing results in these qualifiers. “These two matches are vital. We need to work effectively within the available time to achieve positive outcomes,” he stated.
He further stressed the difficulty of international football but expressed confidence in Nepal’s ability to secure points from Malaysia. “International football is always challenging. Our goal is to return with points from Malaysia,” Ross added.
Long-term goal: Winning the SAFF Championship
Nepal’s senior men’s and women’s teams have yet to win a SAFF Championship title. As with previous coaches, Ross has also set winning the SAFF Championship as a long-term objective.
“In the long term, we aim to develop football in Nepal, including grassroots programs, coach education, and women’s football,” Ross said. “Our ultimate goal is to improve rankings and win the SAFF Championship at both youth and senior levels, for both men’s and women’s teams.”
Ross stated that he is well aware of Nepali football and its players. “I know a lot about Nepali football. Many people are curious about an Australian coach coming in and Nepali players moving abroad,” he said.
He emphasised giving local players opportunities and praised Nepali footballers for their physical and technical strengths. He also lauded the support shown by fans during the recently concluded Women’s International Championship.
“The support for the women’s team was incredible. Fans always provide extra energy and contribute to success. They help take the team to new heights,” Ross remarked.
He called on Nepali supporters to continue backing the team, especially in the upcoming qualifier against Malaysia.
Who is Matt Ross?
Born in Newcastle, England, Australian coach Matt Ross holds a UEFA Pro License. His most recent role was as the assistant coach of South Korea’s women’s national team.
From 2020 to 2023, Ross served as South Korea’s assistant coach, helping the team reach the final of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where they finished as runners-up to China after a 3-2 loss.
Before that, he coached Swedish women’s top-division club Vittsjö GIK and also worked as the head coach of China’s U-15 women’s national team.
Ross initially played amateur football before attempting to become a referee and later a teacher. However, he ultimately pursued a coaching career.
At age 28, he started coaching in Australia but soon moved to Germany, initially to expand his football knowledge. In Germany, he worked as a video analyst before becoming the head coach of the Frankfurt women’s team, leading them to the 2015 UEFA Women’s Champions League title.
After obtaining his UEFA Pro License, Ross spent two years as Frankfurt’s head coach before moving to Sweden in 2017 to coach Vittsjö GIK.
Following a season in Sweden, he accepted a coaching offer from China and later transitioned to South Korea before taking up the Nepal national team role.
