AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey Committed to Results Over Reputation in Indian Team Coach Selection

The Indian football team is going through a difficult time. They are presently ranked 124th in FIFA, and they don't have a coach after Igor Stimac was fired last month. Fans eagerly request a collaborative effort to guide the national football team out of this challenging phase in order to improve the status of Indian Football and restore momentum on the international stage, to revitalise the team's performance.

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AIIFF President Kalyan Chaubey eyes to bring a new head coach for the Indian Football Team

Kalyan Chaubey, the president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), stated that the selection of the new national team head coach will prioritize the capability to deliver positive outcomes. Emphasizing a cautious approach, the AIFF Executive Committee will soon convene to appoint a successor for Igor Stimac, who stepped down as head coach following a run of nine losses and two draws in his last 12 matches in charge.

“I believe the result matters a lot. We will be looking at someone who can develop Indian football. And whoever gets appointed as chief coach, we want him to add a lot of potential to the national team's performance,” Chaubey told PTI videos in an interview.

The incoming head coach will have some important assignments such as a tri-nation tournament in October that also involves hosts Vietnam and Lebanon.

Chaubey hoped the new coach can bring in some desired results from these events.

“We are looking to utilise all the FIFA windows which we have in the month of September, October, November and March next year,” he said.

These tournaments, Chaubey said, will give Indian players more international exposure.

“No matter whether we play against a lower-ranked team or higher-ranked team, the aim is to win. It will also create more match time for players. Yes, these matches will also give more international exposure to the players,” he added.

Chaubey said there was an overwhelming response to the advertised position of the head coach of the Indian men’s football team.

“We have received a total of 291 applications and we have shortlisted 17 names from them. There are Indian and foreign names. We will have a detailed discussion about them in the Executive Committee meeting,” he noted.

Chaubey said former Indian captain IM Vijayan, who is now the head of the technical committee, will also be consulted.

“We are in touch with the technical committee. As Vijayan is overseas now, he will be consulted through a virtual meeting,” he said.

Chaubey said players like Lallianzuala Chhangte have the potential to step in for former skipper Sunil Chhetri, who recently retired from international football.

Chhangte was adjudged the Best Men’s Player during the AIFF awards on Friday.

“Who is after Sunil Chhetri? This question comes to everybody’s mind. I think Chhangte, who has won the player of the year award this year, has a lot of potential. He can definitely make a long career. Such awards will inspire a player to put in an even bigger effort,” he said.

(With PTI inputs)