The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has shortlisted 20 candidates for the position of head coach for the Indian men’s football team, according to acting secretary general M Satyanarayanan. This comes after the sacking of former coach Igor Stimac following India’s failure to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Filling the Void Left by Stimac
Stimac’s departure, termed “unilateral” by him, left the team without a head coach just a year before his contract was set to expire. The AIFF has since been actively seeking a replacement. Satyanarayanan mentioned, “We have shortlisted around 20 coaches and have contacted them to confirm their availability. We are close to finalizing a few candidates, and the decision will be taken by the executive committee soon.”
Criteria for Selection
The selection process involves evaluating the candidates based on their potential to contribute to the team’s long-term goals. Satyanarayanan emphasized the need to differentiate between club and national team coaches due to the different nature of their roles. “Club coaches have players almost all year, while national coaches see their players less frequently,” he noted.
Challenges Ahead
The team faces a significant challenge following the retirement of legendary player Sunil Chhetri, leaving a substantial gap in the squad. Satyanarayanan acknowledged this, saying, “The retirement of Sunil Chhetri has left a huge void, and it does not look like it will be filled anytime soon.”
Future Plans
The AIFF aims to finalize the coaching decision quickly, as the team needs to prepare for upcoming matches. The Durand Cup is expected to highlight potential new talents who could step up in Chhetri’s absence. “We are moving fast because the boys have been playing well. We might see some names emerge in the Durand Cup,” Satyanarayanan added.
