Former France coach Raymond Domenech applies for Indian national team job

The 67-year-old reached the final of the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Les Bleus.

According to a TOI report, the latest applicant for the Indian national team head coach's job has been former France national team boss Raymond Domenech. The French tactician took Les Blues to the World Cup final in 2006.

Ever since Stephen Constantine's departure, the Indian national team vacancy has attracted some top footballing minds from all over the world. The established names making the headlines in recent weeks are Sam Allardyce, Hakan Ericson, Gianni De Biasi, Alberto Zaccheroni and Massimiliano Maddaloni.

"We have received applications from some top European coaches. Raymond Domenech is among them," said an AIFF official to TOI.

Domenech is best known for his heroics in the 2006 World Cup with Les Blues, where they failed to cross the final hurdle against Italy. However, the Frenchman has also remained in controversies throughout his managerial career.

He dropped Nicolas Anelka at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which led to a mutiny of sorts, as the team refused to train under him.

The AIFF are on high alert right now regarding the matter and the process of selecting a successor for Englishman Constantine, who ended his three-year tenure with the Blues Tigers after the AFC Asian Cup, should be completed this month. The national team is likely to have a busy schedule in the summer.

"Our idea is to first shortlist the candidates according to their credentials. Priority could be given to those who are having UEFA licenses. Previous experience of coaching national teams, especially who remained among the top 75 in FIFA rankings, would also help," the official said.

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There are reports that ex-Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca is the front-runner for the job, as the players in the national team are in his favour. However, the AIFF aren't convinced that a man with limited international exposure will be ideal for the position, as Roca has managed only El Salvador before joining Bengaluru FC.

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There are other coaches from the Indian Super League as well who are in the running. Former ATK and FC Pune City coach Antonio Habas showed his interest in the position even before the AIFF started advertising for the job. Ex-ATK and Bengaluru head coach Ashley Westwood has also submitted his resume for the job. Eelco Schattorie and Sergio Lobera are also serious contenders as it stands.

Amidst all of this, the AIFF have assured that the federation will not get carried away with the big names applying for the position, but will look for a person who fits in seamlessly and also meets their requirements.