Urbanyi to Decide on Future After Returning to Malé Following SAFF Exit

Maldives national football team head coach Istvan Urbanyi has said a decision on whether he will continue in the post will be made after he returns to the Maldives, following the team's poor showing at the SAFF Championship 2026. Under Urbanyi's coaching, Maldives have won only one of 12 matches, losing seven and drawing three. When journalists asked whether he would continue with the national team given those results, Urbanyi said he would answer after going to Maldives, and he refused to answer questions from Maldivian journalists at the press conference. "I came today to talk about this match. Ask me that question after going to Malé. I will answer that question after going to Malé," Urbanyi said, appearing angry. Urbanyi said the Maldives team produced a good performance in the second half of the match against India, and that the game was played according to the plan he wanted. He said teams in the SAFF region have now become strong and that Maldives exited the tournament with players who have little experience, adding that this must be accepted. Urbanyi also spoke about refereeing, saying VAR must be used in a tournament of this level. Before the tournament began, he indicated that this SAFF would be his last, noting that his contract also includes the role of technical director and that he wants to be relieved of that responsibility. "My role is not only that of coaching. My contract also includes being technical director. I want to be relieved of that," Urbanyi had said. Urbanyi has previously gone to the SAFF with Maldives three times, including in 2009 when Maldives played in the final.