Applications by Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola for India head coach role not genuine, says AIFF

AIFF received 163 applications for India head coach role.

In a statement published on Saturday, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed that emails received as applications for the role of the head coach of the Indian Football Team by the likes of Xavi Hernandez and Pep Guardiola were “not genuine.” The Federation has been in the hunt for a new coach since Manolo Marquez stepped down earlier this month.

On Friday, news of the AIFF rejecting former FC Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez’s application for the job has been circulating on social media. Many fans have expressed shock and anger at the Federation turning down someone as high-profile as the Blaugrana legend, while others have said that it is wise, given Xavi’s lack of experience as a coach in the subcontinent.

“The AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernández. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine,” the statement issued reads.

According to a TOI report, Xavi had sent the application through his personal email ID, but his contact details were missing, unlike the other applicants. AIFF had reportedly turned him down due to financial reasons, with his demanded salary being well out of reach.

The Spanish media, upon seeing such reports surface, had refuted the claims. The AIFF has been accused of intentionally using a high-profile name to boost the stature of the post and draw eyeballs.

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Also Read: Spanish media refute claims of Barcelona legend Xavi applying for India head coach role

AIFF stress the importance of a coach with experience in Asia

The technical committee of the AIFF had received 170 applications for the role, which were then shortlisted to ten and finally to three. The three candidates are former India coach Stephen Constantine, the homegrown Khalid Jamil, and the more high-profile Stefan Tarkovic. All three coaches have managed teams in Asia, with the former two having coached in the subcontinent for over ten years each.

The AIFF stated, “Appointing a coach with a deep understanding of the Asian and Indian football ecosystem would be highly beneficial to the national team’s immediate and future success.”

The Chairperson of the Technical Committee and Indian football legend I. M. Vijayan expressed a different plan for high-profile foreign applicants.

“Given the immediate needs of the national team, it is advisable to recommend three coaches from the shortlisted pool for final consideration. Other prominent applicants, many of whom are highly qualified international coaches, will be taken into account for long-term strategic roles in the future.”

AIFF shortlists three candidates

Constantine, Jamil, and Tarkovic are coaches who may have slightly varying styles of play, but what unites them is their success with relatively less dominant sides. They have thrived with underdogs, albeit in very different scenarios.

Constantine has showcased gritty football plenty of times in his two stints with the Blue Tigers, taking them from 173rd in the FIFA rankings to as high as 96.

Khalid Jamil has constantly done well with teams that aren’t often considered favourites, notably winning an unprecedented I-League title in 2017 with Aizawl FC against all odds.

Stefan Tarkovic impressed everyone with a terrific victory over the mighty Poland in Slovakia’s opener in the UEFA Euro Championship 2020. Despite facing a tough group that included Spain and Sweden as well, the Slovaks fell just two points short of advancing to the next round.

The Slovak has also led Kyrgyzstan to qualification for the AFC Asian Cup 2027, a feat he will want to replicate with the Blue Tigers if he lands the job.

What lies ahead for Indian football?

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has confirmed that the federation’s executive committee is expected to meet within the next 10 days. If everything goes according to plan, the announcement of India’s new head coach should follow soon after.

But whoever takes charge won’t have the luxury of time. The new coach will immediately be tasked with steadying a sinking ship, as the Blue Tigers continue to falter with a string of underwhelming performances. India have now slipped to 133rd in the latest FIFA Rankings and are currently bottom of their AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers group.

With qualification hopes hanging by a thread, there’s no room for delay. The priority will be to inject confidence, restore structure, and turn things around quickly. The next big challenge looms in October, when India face Singapore in a do-or-die encounter.

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