Shadab Iftikhar: From Martinez to Mongolia
- Sport Careers client managing Bayangol FC in Mongolia
- Left non-league coaching role in UK to prusue management dream
- Assisted Mongolian national team at recent East Asia Cup
POINTING THE WAY; Shadab on the touchline
SHADAB IFTIKHAR'S quest to land the manager's job of his dreams has taken him from being part of Roberto Martinez's backroom staff at Everton to MONGOLIA.
Sport Careers client Shadab is now manager of Bayangol FC in the Mongolian Premier League as he builds his experience in a developing football nation who sit 202nd in the FIFA rankings.
It's a lifetime away from jobs like coaching Droylsden FC in the Northern Premier League but Shadab reasoned: "For me to get a break as a manager in my own right this job was a no-brainer.
"I want to manage at a top level and you have to start somewhere. This has been a great experience.
"As a family of coaches in the UK we tend to not go out and experience different football cultures.
"It helps you to develop and it tests you and I feel you become a more rounded coach.
"I got a good club and an owner I trust and that was hugely important. So it has to be the right project."
Within his first season in the vast country locked between Russia and China Shadab has not only bossed his club but been assistant-manager of the national side in the East Asia Cup on the paradise island of Guam.
And he insisted: "This is one of those sleeping giants football countries, it has the potential to do well but right now they are trying to get the people in the right areas in the Mongolian Football Federation.
"I have met the president of the MFF twice and he has big visions for the national side."
*** READ our full exclusive interview with Shadad Iftikhar in our Features and Opinion section.**
Shadab Iftikhar: From Martinez to Mongolia
Comment Rules
Our rules are designed to ensure that this remains a place for intelligent discussion and debate, where posters can expect to be treated with respect, no matter their point of view.
As a rough rule of thumb, think of the comments as the online equivalent of a spirited social evening in the pub (lively, but not drunk) — passions can be stirred, but anyone engaging in abusive, intimidatory or bullying behaviour will be dealt with severely by the staff (that’s us, the moderators... bad behaviour will usually mean you lose "live" posting status).
And please don’t demand we explain/justify every decision: the popularity of our website means we don’t have time to engage in dialogue.
To borrow another metaphor: the ref’s decision is always final.
- Be relevant
Obviously your comment must relate to the article concerned, and to the inherent issue(s). Wherever possible, avoid cutting and pasting the same opinion repeatedly... that leads to dull threads. - Intelligent debate means just that
We won’t post comments that in our view aren’t adding to the debate. Criticism of public figures is acceptable as long as it can be deemed fair comment... but don’t resort to childish insults or unfair comparisons. - Keep it clean
Religious bigotry, sexism, homophobia, racism and references to disability of any kind won’t be tolerated. Comments using vulgar and abusive language won’t be posted. - Be nice...
Robust debate is encouraged, but personal attacks on individual posters and any personal squabbling between posters isn’t permitted. Don’t attempt to post personal information about other contributors. Material which we consider to be defamatory, inflammatory or offensive in any way is liable to be deleted. Threads may be closed at any time at the discretion of the moderators. - Sports fans — don’t flaunt your colours
We know that sports of all types stir deep feelings, but please don’t use the site to bait your rivals. Posts which are purely provocative or include club slogans will not be published. However, we don’t insist that individual threads are restricted to fans of the club(s) featured in the related articles. - Don’t shout or nitpick
Please don’t use CAPITAL LETTERS to try to make a point, as lots of readers find it the written equivalent of shouting. And don’t try to score cheap points off other posters by highlighting a spelling or grammar mistake (we all make them from time to time!) - Limit your links
Because we can’t check the content or technical robustness of other websites, you shouldn’t post live links. Official sites, such as those run by Governments or councils, are acceptable. In the same vein, please don’t introduce material wholesale from any other site into our threads... if you want to comment about that material, go to the other site instead. - Direct any complaints
Don’t attempt to use the forum to criticise our publications’ general editorial policies or individual journalists. We’ll always strive to protect our brands, and have a duty of care to our staff. If you have an issue you want to raise, or see something that you think needs correcting, please contact us - Moderation Process
Don’t try to post public comments about the moderating process — if you’ve a genuine query not covered by these rules, please contact us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. - No spam
Don’t post anything which is designed to promote your business or website, special offers or whatever. They won’t go live. Instead we’ll block you and hand your e-mail details to our advertising sales team.
Comments & Moderation
We moderate all comments on the Sport Careers website on either a pre-moderated or post-moderated basis. If you’re a relatively new user then your comments will be reviewed before publication and if we know you well and trust you then your comments will be subject to moderation only if other users or the moderators believe you’ve broken the rules.
Moderation is undertaken full-time 9:00-18:30 on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours. Please be patient if your posts are not approved instantly.