Indian Football Fraternity divided as AIFF appoint Khalid Jamil as new India head coach

Khalid Jamil took Jamshedpur FC to the Super Cup Finals

The appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Indian men’s football team has sparked sharp reactions across the football fraternity, with the decision dividing fans and stakeholders alike.

While some have welcomed the appointment of Khalid Jamil with open arms, others have voiced deep concern over his lack of international experience. Ahead of a vital international window in October, which will determine India’s fate in the AFC Asian Cup 2027, there have been mixed reactions from the fans.

Also Read: BREAKING: Khalid Jamil named Indian Football Team head coach

In this article, we take a look at how the Indian football fraternity reacted after Khalid Jamil was appointed head coach of the Indian national football team.

Some fans happy to see Indian manager at the helm of the national team

After a series of underwhelming performances under Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez, many fans voiced their opinion to allow an Indian coach like Khalid Jamil to take charge. Khalid, also popularly referred to as the Miracle Man of Indian Football, has done wonders in the I League, ISL and other domestic tournaments.

As the Khalid Jamil era begins for the Indian national football team, many have called this a full-circle moment for Khalid as he returns to the Indian national team as head coach after rendering his services as a former Indian international twenty years ago.

Former AIFF General Secretary Shaji Prabhakaran called this a bold decision by AIFF to join hands with Khalid at a time when the national team is going through a tumultuous period. Many fans feel that Khalid is the right person to take over the reins of the national team. His discipline and work ethic have previously helped many underdog teams in the domestic leagues to win accolades.

Fans worried Khalid lacks international exposure

While it is true that Khalid Jamil is one of the most experienced and successful Indian coaches presently, it is also a harsh reality that Khalid lacks international exposure and has no prior experience of managing a national football team or coaching outside India, apart from his short tenure at Nepal.

Some fans criticised AIFF for appointing Khalid when many other coaches who applied for this role have massive international experience. Many called this move a stunt to gain that “Indian coach sympathy” while appointing someone with lower wages.

What is next for Khalid Jamil with India?

Khalid Jamil’s stint as India’s head coach will kick off with a tough series of fixtures. India, currently placed 133rd in the FIFA Rankings, are at the bottom of Group C in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers after managing just a draw against Bangladesh and suffering a defeat to Hong Kong.

India are now set to step in for Malaysia at the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, which will take place from August 29 to September 8 across Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.

They find themselves in a challenging group alongside Iran, Afghanistan, and hosts Tajikistan. These encounters will serve as vital preparation for India’s all-important October double-header against Singapore in the qualifiers, where only the group winners will book their spot in the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

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