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Who’ll helm Indian football?
BIG NAMES: All India Football Federation (AIFF) shortlists four for national coach’s job to replace Constantine
The Indian football federation has shortlisted four candidates to take over as the new men’s national coach to replace Stephen Constantine, who left after India’s Asian Cup campaign.
More than a hands-on coach, the All India Football Federation is looking for a good man manager, according to Henry Menezes, former India goalkeeper and AIFF technical committee deputy chairman.
On Thursday, his panel will interview the short-listed candidates: former Barcelona assistant coach and ex-Bengaluru FC manager Albert Roca Pujol, ex-Croatia manager Igor Stimac, South Korea’s two-time World Cupper Lee Min-sung and former Sweden youth team coach Hakan Ericson.
“The national team coach will not get more than 50-60 days with the players. So, he has to understand the players’ strengths and deliver. He has to be a good man manager. Three out of the four guys are good enough to take up the job. As the technical committee we will give our recommendation on the candidates and then the executive committee will take the final call,” Menezes said.
“There are several factors like the salary. Last time, there was a big tussle over the salary part. So, the AIFF has to take a call.”
The national team coach is paid USD 25,000 per month. In 2015, ex-Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood was seen as the front-runner for the India job, but Constantine got it, to return for a second term. A lot of it had to do with the salary, according to AIFF sources.
Under Constantine, India achieved their second best FIFA ranking of 96 and qualified for the Asian Cup. Though they eventually finished last in their group, they upset Thailand 4-1 in the first match.
According to reports, Stimac’s salary demands fit into the AIFF’s scheme of things. He coached Croatia in 2012-13. He played for the erstwhile Yugoslavia’s under-20 team that won the 1987 FIFA World Youth Championship in Chile. The 51-year-old former defender was in the Croatia team that finished third at the 1998 World Cup.
Roca has the experience of coaching in India for two years. He guided Bengaluru FC to the final of the 2016 AFC Cup, the first Indian club to go that far. He shares a good relationship with Sunil Chhetri, who he coached at Bengaluru FC.
“Knowledge of working in India is always an advantage. But the CVs of the rest of the guys are also pretty strong. We have to see their vision, whether they want ready-made players or are willing to explore and look at the emerging players too,” Menezes said.
“The final decision will be announced soon as we don’t have any time. India play the Kings Cup in June in Thailand and then in August there will be the Inter-Continental Cup. The AFC qualifiers will follow.”
Korean Lee has vast experience in Asian football. He is currently assistant manager of the South Korea U-23 team. He played in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups. In 2002, as co-hosts, Korea finished fourth, the best finish by an Asian nation. He coached Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League in 2002.
Ericson was in charge of the Sweden U-21 squad for seven years and was Sweden’s chief coach at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
