[5] His highest success as a coach was leading the Sheikh Jamal DC to the 2010–11 Bangladesh League title.
[6] As a footballer, Ali spent almost a decade with Bangladeshi club Abahani Krira Chakra along with his compatriot Premlal.
[7][8][9] Prior to that, he played for Indian club Vasco SC in 1980, and appeared in the Goa Professional League.
Since 2016, he has been working as the head coach of the Sri Lanka national football team.
[12][13] He was also in charge of Chirag United Kerala FC in the I-League, but his team relegated form the 2011–12 season.