Why Ranjit Bajaj declined AIFF's India U-15 team manager role?
AIFF appointed Ranjit Bajaj as India U-15 team manager
Indian football is never away from controversies and once such has come into picture recently. Despite receiving an official appointment letter from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to become the team manager of India U-15, Ranjit Bajaj has declined the role as he took to Instagram and explained his reasons.
Ranjit Bajaj shared the video with the caption, “WHY I CAN’T ACCEPT THIS AS IT MAKES NO SENSE AT ALL – I do it because only of my world class team which set World Cup processes in place and make sure they are followed to the hilt – putting both is as good as guaranteed failure for my nation – and I DO NOT SABOTAGE MY NATIONS CHANCES. I fully support any coach they give this team to – as no matter what it’s my national team”
Bajaj explained that his decision was not at all personal but came from his belief that putting him as team manager and Bibiano Fernandes as head coach despite their different play styles will harm the India U-15 team’s preparation for the tournament. He also questioned the AIFF’s timing of appointment because there isn’t much time left now.
In the article we take a look at why Ranjit Bajaj declined AIFF’s offer to become India U-15 team manager.
Different football philosophy is a recipe for disaster
As soon as the news came out yesterday, many people started congratulating Ranjit Bajaj. However, Ranjit Bajaj was disappointed and made it clear that he doesn’t see this as something to celebrate.
He stressed that his decision had nothing to do with Bibiano’s appointment personally, but argued that two have contrasting ideologies which is surely a recipe for disaster.
Ranjit Bajaj stated, “Thank you so much for showing so much support. It’s because of you they (AIFF) considered me. They sent me a letter today, a few hours ago, saying that I have been appointed as the manager. You people have been calling me and congratulating me. I’m not happy. I’m very unhappy because this is the worst thing they could have done.”
“You have put both of us (Bibiano Fernandes and Ranjit Bajaj) together. I don’t have any problems with Bibiano personally. The problem is that there are different playing styles and different visions. From a low-block, counter-attacking team to a high-pressure style is totally different. That’s like Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, parking the bus and doing the other stuff. I’m saying it’s not that one system is better than the other, but they are different systems.”
“So, that is a preparation for disaster. You don’t screw Bibiano and me because both of us are screwed if you put us together, and the team gets screwed when nobody is on the same page and thinking. That’s not positive,” he further added.
A world class staff team is key to success
Ranjit Bajaj clearly explained that his success and achievements are the results of a complete setup rather than a single person, highlighting the importance of his team. He also questioned AIFF calling him for the interview and said that there was no better option.
“You (AIFF) only called me because if you had any ultimate treble winner or world champion coach beforehand, then you would have appointed him and everyone would have agreed with it. You didn’t have it, so you called your biggest hater because I know how to win, and that’s the only qualification I have.”
“Why I win is because of my world-class team and my world-class processes, which are made by my world-class team. Things like my psychologist, my Neurovision trainer, my Cognitive trainer, my massage therapist, my two Pro Licensed coaches, my set-piece specialist who is an A License coach, my goalkeeping coach who is another A License coach, my strength and conditioning coach, my hydro therapist, my sports scientist, and my biomechanic. Due to all of these, I get an advantage, and collectively it becomes 10 goals and 15 goals. If I remove any one of them, nothing will happen.”
Wrong time to select the head coach of India U-15
Finally, Ranjit Bajaj criticised AIFF’s timing of this selection, stating that they should have backed someone a year ago so that there was time for preparations instead of making appointments now.
While ending his video, Bajaj urged the fans to move on from the controversy and show full support towards Bibiano Fernandes and the national team.
Ranjit Bajaj questions AIFF decision stating, “If you (AIFF) wanted to give it to Bibiano, it should have been given a year ago. If you wanted to give it to me, it should also have been a year ago. Okay, you have given it now, but you’re still making a mess.”
“So, I request all the fans, now is the time to forget this. It’s already too late, and we can’t be doing all this now and making sure our team fails. I’m supporting Bibiano 100% and hope he does very, very well because, at the end of the day, it’s India,” he ended with.
Why did Ranjit Bajaj decline the team manager role of India U-15 team?
Ranjit gave an explanation where he said that two different footballing philosophy can never work together.
Who is appointed as the head coach of India U-15?
The Executive Committee approved the appointment of Bibiano Fernandes as the head coach of the India U15 men’s national team, subject to his acceptance.
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Ayushman Sharma is a sports enthusiast with a deep love for football, following the game closely since 2018. A hardcore supporter of NorthEast United FC and FC Barcelona, he has also gained valuable on-ground experience by volunteering during FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in Guwahati.