In a significant development for Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Thursday confirmed the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Indian senior men’s national team.
The decision was ratified during a meeting of the AIFF Executive Committee, held in the presence of the Technical Committee. Jamil, who is currently associated with Jamshedpur FC, becomes the first Indian to be entrusted with the national team’s top job in over a decade.
Jamil’s coaching credentials are well established, most notably for guiding Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title in 2017—a feat that earned him widespread acclaim. In the previous edition of the ISL, he led Jamshedpur FC to the playoffs, where his side fell short against the formidable Mohun Bagan Super Giant. In the Super Cup, Jamshedpur finished as runners-up after a defeat in the final against FC Goa. His appointment marks a shift in approach by the federation, as India looks to rebuild following a series of underwhelming performances.
Jamil was selected from a shortlist that included former India coach Stephen Constantine and former Slovakia manager Stefan Tarkovic. The list was prepared and submitted by the Technical Committee, chaired by former India captain IM Vijayan.
Jamil replaces Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who vacated the post last month following India’s disappointing showings in recent fixtures. The 48-year-old tactician now faces the immediate task of preparing the national squad for the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup 2025, scheduled to commence on August 29 in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
With limited time at his disposal, Jamil’s focus will be on stabilising the team and implementing a clear tactical vision to revive the fortunes of the Blue Tigers on the international stage.
Follow Revsportz for latest sports news