Stefan Tarkovic in three-man AIFF shortlist for Indian Football Team head coach role

AIFF received about 170 applications for the India head coach role.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has shortlisted three final candidates for the Indian football team head coach position: Stephen Constantine, Khalid Jamil, and Stefan Tarkovic.

The AIFF’s technical committee, which met virtually on Wednesday, took the final call after consulting national team director Subrata Paul and technical director Syed Sabir Pasha.

“Subrata Paul and Sabir Pasha took 12 final names to the technical committee today, and they shortlisted Constantine, Khalid Jamil, and Stefan out of it,” a source close to the development revealed to Khel Now.

The panel also sought advice from former coaches Bimal Ghosh and Armando Colaco, both of whom are part of AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey’s advisory team.

“We have shortlisted these 3 names from a total of 163 coaches who applied. There were certain criteria outlined in our selection process, and we have shortlisted candidates who closely matched those requirements,” said Subrata Paul, speaking to Khel Now.

However, he revealed that the duration of the contract to be offered to the Indian football team head coach has not been decided when asked about the same.

“Just to clarify, there has been no discussion so far regarding whether the contract will be short-term or long-term,” he added.

However, contrary to some popular reports online, former India international Renedy Singh is not in the list.

Also Read: Top 10 coaches who have applied for Indian Football team head coach role

Stephen Constantine to have third term with India?

Stephen Constantine is no stranger to Indian football. Having already led the Indian football team in two different spells—2002 to 2005 and 2015 to 2019—he remains a strong contender. His second stint proved especially fruitful, as he guided India from a FIFA ranking of 173 to inside the top 100.

Under his leadership, India qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and showed immense promise. Though his coaching style leans on pragmatism, Constantine has been credited with developing key Indian players. He also managed East Bengal in the Indian Super League (ISL), adding to his local credentials.

Constantine’s experience and past success could play a major role in his potential reappointment.

Khalid Jamil makes a strong case

For the first time, Khalid Jamil has officially entered the race to become Indian football team head coach. A former India international and the first Indian to coach an ISL team, Jamil brings a deep understanding of domestic football.

He shot to fame after leading underdog Aizawl FC to the 2017 I-League title and has worked with top clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, NorthEast United and now Jamshedpur FC. Jamil’s disciplined yet adaptable coaching style may be just what the team needs to reset and rebuild.

Tarkovic brings international pedigree

Stefan Tarkovic is no stranger to high-pressure jobs. The Slovak tactician has managed both the Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan national teams and has quietly built a reputation for delivering results in complex environments.

At Euro 2020, he led Slovakia to a famous 2-1 win over Robert Lewandowski’s Poland, with his side showing compact organisation and intelligent game management. His domestic experience includes spells with top-flight Slovak clubs such as MŠK Žilina, Tatran Prešov, and Košice, where he developed a reputation for working effectively with limited resources. After which he joined the Slovakia national team coaching setup as an assistant coach in 2013.

More recently, he took charge of Kyrgyzstan and helped them qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, a historic moment for the country. He also led them to the third round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers for the first time in their history, before stepping down in June 2024 after completing his targets.

Tarkovic prefers a no-fuss, organised setup—usually a 4-2-3-1—focused on keeping things tight at the back and breaking forward with purpose. After guiding Kyrgyzstan to the Asian Cup and building a reputation for staying calm under pressure, he’s now firmly in the mix for the India job.

Who will you pick as the next head coach of the Indian Football Team?

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) July 23, 2025

What’s next for the Blue Tigers?

The shortlist will now be sent to the AIFF executive committee, which will make the final decision on Manolo Marquez’s successor. Marquez mutually parted ways with the AIFF after India’s narrow 0–1 defeat to Hong Kong on June 10.

Indian football team will resume their 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers in October, which will be the first test for the new boss.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.