Sabir Pasha appointed as Technical Director of Indian national teams

The 50-year-old recently stepped down from his role at Chennaiyin FC.

The AIFF (All India Football Federation) have appointed Syed Sabir Pasha as the Technical Director of the Indian National teams. He told The Hindu that he would take up the job once his employer Indian Bank give permission. “It is a big role where I have to develop the coaches of the Indian National teams, including the senior men’s and age-group squads, coordinate with them, devise programs, and monitor them. I will also play a role in the appointment of selectors. It’s a challenging and more active role,” he said.

Sabir Pasha's managerial career

Syed Sabir Pasha joined ISL club Chennaiyin FC in 2016 as the assistant coach and the head of grassroots development. The 50-year-old held on to the post for seven years and decided to quit after the ISL 2022-23 campaign. He took over the role of interim head coach, after Bozidar Bandovic left the club in ISL 2021-22 (four matches). He started his coaching career with his current employer Indian Bank. In 2010, Pasha received his AFC 'A' license after completing the course in Japan.

During his managerial career, he was also appointed as the head coach of the Tamil Nadu football team for the Santosh Trophy. In his debut season, Sabir guided Tamil Nadu to the final, beating top-ranked teams, but fell short losing to Services (2-3) in the final. Before joining Chennaiyin FC in 2016, Pasha was the head coach of the AIFF Elite Academy.

Sabir Pasha's playing career

Syed Sabir Pasha started his playing career with the Indian Bank in the National Football League. The 50-year-old represented the national team between 1993 and 2001. Pasha got several offers from East Bengal and other top clubs across the country but he held on to playing for Indian Bank till his retirement in 2007. He and Raman Vijayan played a vital role for Tamil Nadu in the Santhosh Trophy from 1995 to the 2000s.