The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has compiled a shortlist of 20 “competent” candidates for the head coach role of the Indian men’s football team, following the dismissal of Igor Stimac last month. This move comes after the Indian team’s failure to advance to the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers due to losses to Qatar and Afghanistan.
AIFF acting secretary general M Satyanarayan confirmed the development. Stating that the federation is in the process of confirming the availability of the shortlisted coaches. “We have shortlisted around 20 candidates and have reached out to some to verify their current availability. Many coaches are in demand, so we need to ensure they are still interested,” Satyanarayan told PTI Video.
The executive committee and technical community will consult on the final selection, and they expect to make decisions within the next two days.
The AIFF dismissed Stimac after the team’s elimination from the World Cup qualifiers. The AIFF terminated Stimac’s contract, despite his appointment in 2019 and extension until 2026. Stimac criticized the decision as “unilateral” and has threatened legal action against the AIFF if they do not clear his dues within 10 days.
Satyanarayan acknowledged the team’s progress despite the setback, noting, “The team was very close to advancing to the third round. We are finalizing our fixtures and looking at suitable opponents for upcoming matches. Which may include teams slightly below us in ranking.”
He refrained from naming the candidates, citing confidentiality concerns, especially as some are still under contract. “We had many applications, and it’s encouraging that top coaches are showing interest in India. Indicating the potential of our football,” Satyanarayan added.
The selection criteria will focus on the specific needs of the Indian team, balancing between club and national team experience. Satyanarayan also mentioned the challenge of replacing legendary player Sunil Chhetri, whose retirement has left a significant void.
“We aim to move quickly because we have upcoming tournaments and the team has been performing well. The Durand Cup might also bring some new talent into the spotlight,” he said.
The AIFF remains committed to making a well-informed decision to ensure the best possible leadership for the Indian men’s football team moving forward.
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