The All India Football Federation (AIFF) president Kalyan Chaubey said that the body is not looking at only big named for the role of the new head coach. Speaking to PTI in an interview, Chaubey said that the Indian football team head coach should have the ability to develop the team’s football and decisions will be made keeping that aspect in mind.
India’s previous head coach Igor Stimac faced an unceremonious exit after the team failed to reach the third round of FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. Stimac took a lot of potshots at the president and the AIFF management in his exit interview.
“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.
India need to take a call on their long term captaincy option as well. 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, 19 July.
“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.