Guglielmo Arena has stepped down as head coach of the Nepal men’s national football team after mutually agreeing with the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) to terminate his contract following FIFA’s suspension of the governing body.

In a statement posted on his LinkedIn account on Monday evening, Nepali time, the Swiss-Italian coach, who goes by the nickname Guli, said the suspension had made it impossible to continue the long-term project he had begun with the national team.

“After careful consideration, ANFA and I have mutually agreed to terminate my contract as head coach of the Nepal men’s national team,” Arena wrote.

He said FIFA’s suspension had created “a complete lack of visibility for the short and medium term”, making it impossible to continue developing the sporting project.

Arena also expressed disappointment that football activities in Nepal had come to a standstill.

“I am deeply saddened by the current situation and by the fact that football activities have been brought to a standstill,” he wrote, extending his thoughts to the men’s and women’s national teams, youth players and everyone involved in Nepali football.

The coach said he regretted not being able to fully implement the sporting vision and long-term project he had prepared.

“I would like to sincerely thank ANFA, its players, staff and everyone who welcomed me with kindness and respect during my time in Nepal,” he said. “I truly hope that a constructive solution will soon be found so that Nepali football can move forward again and offer the stability its football family deserves.”

Arena concluded by saying the experience had strengthened his passion for international football and that he looked forward to his next coaching opportunity.

Arena was appointed Nepal’s head coach earlier this year following the mid-contract departure of Australia’s Matt Ross. However, his stint came to an abrupt end after FIFA suspended ANFA, bringing the country’s football activities to a halt.

With Arena’s departure, Nepal’s men’s national team is once again without a head coach as uncertainty continues over the future of Nepali football while the FIFA suspension remains in place.

Arena was appointed with the goal of leading Nepal to the SAFF Men’s Championship title later this year.