The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has cleared the air on the recent speculation surrounding high-profile names like Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernández applying for the Indian men’s national team head coach job. The Federation confirmed that the purported applications attributed to Xavi were inauthentic and likely part of a hoax.
“The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine,” the AIFF stated in a recent media release.
The AIFF Technical Committee had received 170 applications for the vacancy left by Manolo Marquez. Following a thorough selection process, three candidates have been shortlisted: Khalid Jamil, former India coach Stephen Constantine, and Slovak manager Stefan Tarkovič.
As AIFF Technical Committee chair I.M. Vijayan stated that the Federation has been prioritising candidates with an intimate grasp of the Indian and Asian football landscape for immediate continuity. The Executive Committee will now take the final decision, and additional names may be considered if needed.
“Given the immediate needs of the national team, it is advisable to recommend three coaches from the shortlisted pool for final consideration. Other prominent applicants, many of whom are highly qualified international coaches, will be taken into account for long-term strategic roles in the future.”
Subrata Paul, Director, National Teams, said: “It is a very important moment for Indian football, and we are committed to appointing a coach who not only brings technical expertise but also understands the unique style, culture and dynamics of Indian and Asian football. We believe such a coach will be able to connect with our players quickly and effectively. Our focus is on finding a result-oriented professional who can maximise performance within the available resources and contribute meaningfully to the growth and future direction of Indian football.”
Follow RevSportz For All Updates