Ashley Westwood takes charge of Afghanistan football team

Ashley Westwood is till date the youngest coach to win the I-League, which was previously the top tier in Indian football.

Former Bengaluru FC and Punjab FC manager Ashley Westwood has been appointed as the head coach of the Afghanistan men’s national football team ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Westwood’s first on field assignment will come in the form of an away clash against reigning Asian champions Qatar.

The Manchester United Academy graduate has agreed terms on a one-year deal with the Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) just eight days before they begin their 2026 World Cup Qualifiers campaign. Afghanistan are grouped alongside Qatar, Kuwait and India in Group A!

Ashley Westwood’s career

Westwood began his career at the Manchester United Academy before moving to Crewe Alexandra for a reported fee of £40,000. He also represented Northampton, Bradford and Wrexham during his playing days.

He spent the majority of his career at Sheffield Wednesday where he played 94 matches. After a brief spell with Portsmouth, Westwood brought an end to his 17-year playing career.  He served as the assistant manager for Portsmouth before taking over Blackpool and Blackburn. 

The Red Devils Academy graduate then moved to India and became the youngest coach to ever win the I-League title in 2014. After a long stint with the Blues, the English manager moved to Malaysian Super League side Penang, before serving as the Technical Director at former ISL side ATK. 

The Afghanistan national team

Out of all the assignments that Ashley Westwood has headed, this one seems to be the toughest given the circumstances surrounding the Afghanistan national team. According to The Guardian, eighteen first team players have threatened to boycott their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Qatar. 

They have made claims that they have suffered ‘substandard’ treatment by the Afghanistan Football Federation. As per The Guardian, three players have written to FIFA expressing their disappointment about how the national team is being run.

It remains to be seen how Ashley Westwood prepares the team ahead of their crucial game against Qatar.

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