PANAJI
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has commenced the process of selecting a new coach for the senior national team. The federation has started reaching out to candidates who applied for the position and will soon begin interviews based on the feedback it receives.
An email from the AIFF, signed by acting officials, has been sent to several coaches who expressed interest in the job. The email requests additional information to help make an informed decision before moving to the next stage of selection. The details sought include confirmation of continued interest in the job, the expected salary and benefits, the earliest possible start date, and any other relevant information or demands from the candidates.
Among the notable candidates contacted is Park Hang-seo, who significantly improved Vietnam's national team, leading them to the quarterfinals of the AFC Asian Cup in 2019, where they narrowly lost to Japan. The AIFF is particularly interested in finding a coach with a deep understanding of Indian football.
Indian football experts believe that coaches like Manolo Márquez and Antonio López Habas have an edge due to their extensive experience in India. Both have had successful tenures in the Indian Super League (ISL). Habas, in particular, holds the record for managing the most games (110) in the ISL and is considered the most successful coach in the league's history. Manolo Márquez has also been praised for his success rate and his role in developing players for the national team.
The federation is mindful of salary constraints, especially considering the potential compensation required for former national team coach Igor Å timac, should his contract be terminated unilaterally.
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has indicated that the new coach's name will be announced by the end of July. The selection process is moving forward with the aim of appointing a coach who can bring success and stability to Indian football.
