Barcelona legend Xavi reportedly applied for India head coach role; Spanish media denies claims

AIFF received 163 applications for the India head coach role.

In a surprising turn of events, Xavi Hernandez, the legendary Spanish midfielder and former Barcelona coach, submitted an application for the Indian football team head coach job, according to a Times of India (TOI) report.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s technical committee was left wide-eyed when they spotted his name at the bottom of a 163-coach-long list compiled by national team director Subrata Paul.

Xavi, who famously led Barcelona to a La Liga title in the 2022–23 season, reportedly sent the application from his personal email, though his contact number was notably missing.

“It’s correct that Xavi’s name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF,” Subrata Paul told TOI.

The former Spain international, who earned over 130 caps and won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two UEFA Euros, began his coaching career at Al Sadd in Qatar.

He later returned to Barcelona, managing them for two and a half seasons and collecting two trophies before stepping down in 2024.

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

Xavi’s application not considered due to financial constraints

Despite the buzz, the AIFF’s technical committee decided not to shortlist Xavi Hernandez. The reason? His salary expectations were simply out of reach. A member of the committee, who attended the virtual meeting, stated that convincing Xavi would require a massive financial commitment.

Although Xavi has previously mentioned in The Athletic that he “sometimes follows the Indian League,” his hiring was never realistic from a financial standpoint. AIFF officials believed that while Xavi’s presence could revolutionise Indian football, the cost-to-benefit ratio didn’t favour the move.

For now, fans can only imagine the tactical brilliance he might have brought to the Blue Tigers.

Spanish media refutes claims

Spanish media have firmly denied recent reports suggesting that Xavi Hernández had applied for the position of India’s national team head coach. According to sources close to the former FC Barcelona manager, he never expressed any interest or submitted an application for the role.

Those in Xavi’s inner circle have accused the All India Football Federation (AIFF) of deliberately using his name to garner attention and elevate the stature of the position during their ongoing hunt for a new manager. They maintain that Xavi remains focused on his future in European football and had no involvement in the AIFF’s recruitment process.

🚨🎖| People close to Xavi insist that he never applied for the head coach position of the Indian NT. They believe the All India Football Federation intentionally used his name to boost the profile of the role during their search for a new manager. [@ferrancorreas] #fcblive 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/89eZ5rg3kn

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) July 25, 2025

AIFF shortlists three final candidates for India Head Coach role

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

The decision followed a virtual meeting of the technical committee, with inputs from national team director Subrata Paul, technical director Syed Sabir Pasha, and advisors Armando Colaco and Bimal Ghosh. Paul revealed that these names were chosen from 163 applicants based on specific criteria, though the tenure of the new coach’s contract is yet to be finalised.

Constantine, aiming for a third stint with India, is highly regarded for guiding the national team from a FIFA ranking of 173 to inside the top 100. His previous tenure also saw India qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

Khalid Jamil, the first Indian to manage an ISL team, rose to fame with Aizawl FC’s historic I-League title win in 2017. His deep connection with domestic football and experience with multiple top clubs strengthen his candidacy.

Meanwhile, Stefan Tarkovic brings international exposure, having managed Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan. His tactical discipline and ability to deliver results with limited resources make him a strong contender.

What’s next for Indian football?

With the shortlist finalised, the AIFF executive committee will now take the final call on who replaces Manolo Marquez, who stepped down earlier this month.

The new head coach’s first big challenge will arrive in October, as India resumes its campaign in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. The pressure will be high, and expectations even higher.

The article has been updated to latest information..

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