Top five foreign coaches Hockey India could appoint as Graham Reid's replacement

Former coach Graham Reid resigned after a poor performance at Hockey World Cup.

FIH Hockey World Cup was an underwhelming tournament for the Indian Men's Hockey Team. The men in blue finished joint ninth in the event. Following the team's poor performance in the world cup head coach Graham Reid resigned from the post. This has left Hockey India in a very tricky situation with the Asian Games this year and the Paris Olympics next year.

Hockey India invited applications for the post of the head coach and support staff. A report from PTI mentioned that Hockey India is not considering any Indian coaches for the vacant post. An official told PTI, " Please tell me who you believe is the best coach in India right now. We will surely consider names if you provide them to us."

This is a clear indication that the federation is on the lookout for a foreign coach to replace Graham Reid. So let's take a look at five foreign coaches who could be the next head coach of the Indian Men's Hockey Team.

5. Siegfried Aikman

Siegfried Aikman is currently considered one of the top names in the list of Hockey India for the vacant head coach post. The Dutchman is currently the head coach of Pakistan. However, with the wages of the coach not being paid by the Pakistan Hockey Federation, he might be willing to jump ship.

Aikman is a very exciting coach and this was evident in how he after being appointed as the head coach of the Japanese team took them to new heights. The Japanese team played exciting hockey under him.

The Dutchman could be the one who could take India to the next level as well and make India a hockey powerhouse once again. So Hockey India should have a look at the Dutchman.

4. Roelant Oltman

Roelant Oltman till now had a very successful coaching career as he led his previous team to win major events. Moreover, he had been at the helm of the Indian team for about two years from 2015 to 2017.

Oltman has all the experience as he has been a coach for more than three decades now. Currently, the Dutchman is the Head Coach of Kampong since 2020. He could be the perfect choice for the men in the blues head coach role and take them to new heights. Oltman is someone the federation should take a look at for sure.

3. Cheslyn Gie

Cheslyn Gie is the current head coach of the South African men's hockey team. Gie is a new face who is recently busy on the scene. Previously he was coaching at the university level as well as being the assistant coach of former South African coach Garreth Ewing. After Ewing stepped down Gie was appointed as interim coach. However, later on, he was made the permanent head coach of the South African men's hockey team.

In his tenure as the head coach the team has played well and has had many important victories over some big teams. Although Gie is not as experienced as others we talked about, he could also be a great option for the vacant post of head coach. He has the qualities that could lead the Indian men's hockey team to greater heights.

2. Colin Batch

Colin Batch is a former Australian player. He started his coaching career in 2001 as the assistant coach of the Australian men's team. Batch stayed as the assistant coach of Australia till 2008. In his tenure as an assistant coach of Australia, the team won many events. He then was appointed as the head coach of Belgium in 2010. After that Batch was appointed the head coach of New Zealand. They led the sticks from 2012 to 2016.

Since 2017 Batch has been the head coach of Australia. He has all over his coaching period worked in some of the best teams and has won many tournaments. Batch could also act as a great candidate for the role of the Indian head coach. The federation should for sure tame a look at him.

1. Maximiliano Caldas

Maximiliano Caldas is a former Argentine player and he represented his country in the 1996 and 2004 Olympics. However, he started his coaching career in the Netherlands. He was the assistant coach of the Dutch women's during the 2006 World Championship and 2008 Olympics.

Caldas had a very successful tenure as the head coach of the Dutch team after being appointed in 2010. He led the Dutch women's team to 3 back to back golds in the 2012 Olympics, the inaugural World League and the 2014 World Cup. Caldas is currently the head coach of the Spanish men's team. He could be another interesting option for Hockey India as they search for who can replace Graham Reid.