AIFF receives 170 applications for Indian football team coach job; Habas, Fowler, Lobera among top names

Former Indian football team coach Stephen Constantine is also among the applicants.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially received 170 applications for the vacant Indian Football Team coach position. However, this is a noticeable drop compared to the 291 applicants they attracted last year, as reported by Times of India.

The AIFF began inviting applications on July 4, just two days after Manolo Marquez resigned during the executive committee meeting. Interestingly, there was a strong initial response, but the momentum waned after the first three days.

Also Read: Former India international Khalid Jamil applies for Indian football team head coach role

Fewer world-class coaches eyeing India job

Last year, several applicants had World Cup coaching experience. This time, while the list remains impressive, it lacks that global star power.

According to a senior AIFF official quoted by TOI, there’s still global interest but not as many high-profile contenders as before.

“Last year there was massive interest in the job, many of them (current) national team coaches and those who had managed teams at the FIFA World Cup. This time around, there’s also interest from across the world, but not as many high-profile candidates, ” he stated.

Among the known applicants are former Liverpool stars Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell. Former Brazil U-17 coach Caio Zanardi and ex-Barcelona B manager Jordi Vinyals, who recently coached in China, have also applied.

In addition, Peter Segrt, who coached Tajikistan, Maldives, and Afghanistan, and Roel Coumans, part of Australia’s 2018 World Cup staff, are in the mix. Mauritania’s coach Aritz Lopez Garai has expressed interest too.

Stephen Constantine, India’s most experienced head coach, is also keen on a comeback. He managed the national side across two stints and clinched four trophies, including the SAFF Cup and Intercontinental Cup.

If AIFF leans on domestic options, ISL-winning coaches Antonio Lopez Habas and Sergio Lobera are potential candidates. Similarly, I-League champion Staikos Vergetis and ex-Mohammedan coach Andrey Chernyshov are in the fray.

From India, Khalid Jamil, Sanjoy Sen, and Santosh Kashyap have also thrown their hats in the ring.

What’s next for the Indian Football Team?

The AIFF will soon prepare a longlist before shortlisting candidates. Whoever takes charge of the Indian Football Team coach role will face immediate pressure.

The AIFF Technical Committee will meet on Wednesday to review the 170 applications for the head coach position of the Indian Football Team. A first shortlist of candidates is expected to be prepared during this meeting. #IndianFootball @KhelNow

— Ashish Negi (@7negiashish) July 22, 2025

India’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification hopes hang by a thread after a costly defeat to Hong Kong. With four games left, India must win all, including crucial ties against Singapore, Bangladesh, and Hong Kong.

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