Here is all you need to know about Ashley Westwood including the age, career, bio and partner of the Afghanistan Football National Team coachย
It was a humiliating day for the country as the India lost 1-2 to the determined Afghans on Tuesday evening at the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers Second Round Group A match. Veteran striker Sunil Chhetri converted a penalty kick to score the only goal for the home team in the 38th minute.
The Afghans won last night, a triumph they would remember for a very long time thanks to goals from Rahmat Akbari (71′) and Sharif Mukhammad (88′).
Who is Ashley Westwood head coach of Afghanistan football team, bio, age, height, partner and coaching career
Meanwhile, Ashley Westwood, the football coach for Afghanistan, claimed that the visiting team was “always the dominant” one and that they ought to have won even the first leg match, which finished in a tie. He said, as per PTI:
We remained confident even when we were trailing. To be honest, we also could have won the earlier match, We were always the dominant side in the match,” Westwood said referring to the first leg clash in Abha, Saudi Arabia which ended in a goalless draw.”
๐ธ | Afghanistan captain and defender Amiri, who has announced his retirement, jumps in the post match press interaction to hug head coach Ashley Westwood, shouts "Thank you coach, a BIG THANK YOU!" #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/y3I8GZh8bU
— 90ndstoppage (@90ndstoppage) March 26, 2024
While everyone is talking about the winning team and the coach following India’s humiliating loss, fans are curious to know more about Ashley Westwood. Here is all you need to know.
Who is Ashley Westwood?
Ashley Michael Westwood is an English football manager and former professional player who was born on August 31, 1976 in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. Currently, he leads the Afghanistan national team. The 47-year-old stands 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) tall.
A look at Ashley Westwood’s career
Ashley has managed teams like Bengaluru FC, Penang FA, ATK (interim), RoundGlass Punjab and now Afghanistan. Talking about his playing career, the graduate of the Manchester United has played for many clubs like Crewe Alexandra, Bradford City, Sheffield Wednesday, Northampton Town, Chester City, Swindon Town, Port Vale, Stevenage Borough, Wrexham, Kettering Town, Crewe Alexandra, Northampton Town, Lincoln City and Portsmouth.
The 1995 FA Youth Cup winner was Michael Appleton’s assistant manager at Portsmouth when the team entered administration. He went from there to Blackpool, which was owned by the infamous Oyston family; a dynasty that supporters hated.
Then came Blackburn Rovers, before he took over the national team. Westwood assumed the position of head coach of the Afghanistan national team on November 8, 2023.
Ashley Westwood’s wife
Ashley Westwood is in a relationship with sports journalist Mel McLaughlin. He was previously married to a former probation officer Huma Westwood.