‘I’m a fighter’: Butler diagnosed with cancer, permits BFF to find interim coach
Bangladesh women’s football team head coach Peter Butler has told Daily Waadaa that he has been diagnosed with cancer, but vowed to fight it, and has allowed the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) to look for an interim replacement.
“I can’t say precisely yet, but I’ve got cancer. I’m a fighter, I’ll fight it,” the 60-year-old told Waadaa on Whatsapp.
Butler flew back home to England in late October after falling ill. However, his condition has not significantly improved since then, and the cancer diagnosis rules out a return in the immediate future.
“I’m not gonna be right for a while. I’m not in good shape,” he said.
With the team due to play two friendlies against Singapore in early December, the BFF asked Butler for permission to appoint an interim coach. He did not object.
“Yes, they asked permission… I said no problem, I understand the situation… You never know, I’m a fighter I’ll be back.”
Butler also said he is satisfied with the role played by BFF president Tabith Awal during this ordeal.
Tabith also expressed concern over Butler’s illness to the media. “Peter Butler has been diagnosed with cancer. We wish him a speedy recovery,” he was quoted as saying by multiple outlets.
The British coach had pushed for a camp before the Singapore matches, which the BFF has arranged at the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) in Chattogram, where the players are training intensively.
However, his illness has forced him to return to England before he could join, leaving the squad without a head coach. Assistant coach Abul Hossain has overseen preparations since October 30, while Butler has given regular instructions from England via a WhatsApp group.
The federation has already opened talks with several foreign coaches. The most prominent name is French coach Éric Meyer. BFF sources said talks with the UEFA A-licence holder are at an advanced stage, and he could take charge for both Singapore matches.
The squad is scheduled to leave for Singapore on November 29, and the matches will be played on December 1 and 5.
Meyer was born in April 1971 and hails from Vosges, in France’s Grand Est region. He has been head coach of the regional club FC des Ballons, and has also worked as assistant coach and co-coach at FC Haute-Moselotte. However, little else about his professional credentials is available online.
Butler had arrived in Bangladesh in early 2023 to take charge of the BFF Elite Academy, and was handed the women’s team ahead of the SAFF Championship. Under him, the women won the SAFF title for a second time.
The following year, Ritu Porna Chakma and her teammates made history by qualifying for the Women’s Asian Cup for the first time. The Under-20 women’s team also played in the Asian Cup for the first time under him. Butler’s current contract with the BFF will run out at the end of this year.