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Peter Taylor wants to stay in Bahrain to build up the national football team despite a nightmare World Cup adventure which will rely on an incredible turn of events to allow the dream of reaching the 2014 finals in Brazil any chance of becoming a reality.
Bahrain will be booted out of the competition at the first hurdle unless the side scores a hatful of goals against group whipping boys Indonesia and neighbours Qatar get a walloping in their final Group E games.
In reality, Qatar’s home draw last week against Bahrain means the 2022 World Cup hosts must travel to Iran and simply avoid defeat to seal their passage to the final round of Asian qualifying contests.
If Bahrain fails to make it, could the disappointment put an abrupt end to the 58-year-old Englishman’s two-year coaching contract? It’s the question on the lips of many supporters.
Determined Taylor intends to stay as long as the Bahrain Football Association wants him. He said: “People asked would I go if we did not qualify and the answer to that, as far as I’m concerned, is no. If I am given the opportunity to stay then I am going to be here to carry on building the team.
“That’s football, though, sometimes the federation or club will want the manager to carry on, or leave. So if a federation says ‘no, you must go’ then there is nothing the manager can do but accept it.
“I hope the federation is pleased with the progress I have made so far because, if it was up to me, without a doubt, I would stay.
“And, if we don’t make it then I believe the national team has got to carry on trying to build a squad capable of one day reaching the World Cup Finals.
“I think, maybe, this time round it should have been done a little bit earlier. Everyone now agrees that we should have been together a month earlier to prepare. Hopefully we have learned from that.
“To be honest, though, my next goal would be to build the team. I would like to add some younger players into the experienced mix.
“But, for now, we shouldn’t give up. Remember, we haven’t ‘not qualified’ ... yet.”
The 0-0 stalemate against Bahrain left Qatar in second place in the group on nine points, two points behind leaders Iran, who routed Indonesia 4-1 in the earlier game. Bahrain lies third with six points.
Bahrain now need to beat basement boys Indonesia, who have lost all five of their qualifying matches, in their final game at the National Stadium in Riffa scheduled for February 29, 2012.
It would help the cause if Iran could hammer the Qataris in the same manner they dealt with Bahrain, although the six-goal blitz in that game came after a Bahrain defender was sent off in record time and within seconds of the start.
Undeterred by the current standings, Taylor remains hopeful and he has history to support his never-say-die theory. Bahrain never do things the easy way. They needed to get a score-draw away in Saudi Arabia during the last World Cup group stages to make a play-off fixture against New Zealand and managed to equalise in the dying seconds.
Taylor said: “Before we played Iran in Bahrain, I said we needed two wins but, unfortunately, we got two draws instead. Now we have to rely on other people and be absolutely unbelievable against Indonesia.
“If Iran beats Qatar by one goal, Bahrain would have to get eight or nine goals. The thing is, you just never know, as Iran could win by more than the odd goal.
“All we can do is set a target of trying to score lots of goals. It’s not going to be easy because Indonesia will come and play professionally and to the best of their abilities.
“They will try to come here and do well but we must work even harder and put on a show for our fans. Anything can happen in football!”
Australia, Iran and Iraq are joining the already-qualified Japan, Uzbekistan and Jordan in Asia’s third round of qualifiers, leaving just four berths to be decided.
Further speculation arose about Taylor’s future when news filtered through that the manager’s position had opened up at his former club, Hull City.
Taylor is regarded as a football folk hero in the East Yorkshire city after taking the team to promotion on two occasions and the club is currently riding high in The Championship, the second tier of English football and look likely to secure a play-off place for the Premiership.
Hull City’s former England international midfielder, Nicky Barmby, has been appointed as the club’s new boss on a trial basis following the departure of Nigel Pearson to rivals Leicester City.
Barmby, who hails from Hull, was actually recruited by Taylor in 2001.
Taylor believes that Barmby is the right man for the job. He said: “Nicky is a tremendous professional and a really good lad. He has good experience and I think he will become a good manager.
“He is an outstanding player and person and already has the respect of the team. The fans will also be very pleased.
“Would I have taken the job if it was offered to me? I’ve had my spell there at Hull and, to be fair, I believe they would be looking for someone like Nicky. I am more than pleased to be here in Bahrain – this is what I want to do.”
