List of European heavyweights in race for Indian national team's role

Ashley Westwood, Albert Roca, and Eelco Schattorie are also reportedly in AIFF's shortlist.

According to the latest speculation, it is being reported that the likes of Massimiliano Maddaloni and Giovanni De Biasi are in AIFF's shortlist for Indian football team's head coach position.

A TOI report has alleged that Sweden's Hakan Ericson, Ashley Westwood, Albert Roca, Eelco Schattorie, Maddaloni, De Biasi, Croatia's Igor Stimac and Robert Jarni have joined the race amongst 40 applicants for the vacant position after Stephen Constantine's departure.

It is also being alleged that the new appointment's salary will be raised in comparison to Constantine's pay grade. It has been reported that the Englishman was earning $3,00,000 per year. Whoever gets the hot seat will reportedly receive $3,50,000 to $4,00,000 per annum.

The alleged names have some big credentials. Hakan Ericson is the son of former Swedish national team coach, Georg Ericson. Currently, without any job, the 58-year-old had managed his country's U-21 team to the UEFA European U-21 Championship in 2015.

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Members of the Indian football fraternity already know everything about Westwood, Roca, and Schattorie. Westwood already has experience of managing Indian sides. He led Bengaluru to two I-League titles and a Federation Cup trophy. Meanwhile, Roca has also managed BFC before. He led the side to the finals of AFC Cup, becoming the first side from India to do so, eventually losing out to Iraq's Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. He also led the side to a Federation Cup title, and ISL finals. Currently managing NorthEast United, Schattorie has become a fan-favourite due to his outspoken personality with the media, and his tactics have sent NEUFC to the Indian football map.

Maddaloni was assistant to Marcelo Lippi, and also currently works with China's football team. He has also managed the likes of Carpi, and also served as an assistant in the Juventus team earlier. 

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Amongst the alleged names, De Biasi is the most high-profile candidate, and could really be a boost for Indian football, if appointed. He took Albania to their first-ever UEFA European Championship in 2016, and during that time he was regarded as one of the best gaffers in the world. He has also managed the likes of Alaves, Torino, and Udinese.

Linked to the Indian hot seat, Stimac has experience of managing a top European nation, when he led Croatia from 2012-13 but was highly unpopular with the fans. Jarni works with his country's U-19 team, and was a famed player during his days, having represented the likes of Real Madrid, and Juventus.