AIFF invites applications for coach of Indian national football team

Two months after the resignation of Stephen Constantine, the All India Football Federation finally posted a formal advertisement for the position of head coach and U-23 coach on Monday.

Former coach Stephen Constantine resigned immediately after India bowed out of the AFC Asian Cup, losing to Bahrain in their last match in a disappointing fashion. Since then, the head coach position has been lying vacant.

AIFF have appointed Derrick Pereira last month on an interim basis for the U-23 team, keeping the mind the AFC U-23 qualifiers. Many have questioned the necessity of replacing him. But it is almost certain Pereira will remain the coach until the qualifiers.

But the position of the head coach is something that will be debated in the coming days. With many coaches ready to take the job, Sportskeeda looks at the possible three contenders who might be given the responsibility.

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#3 Eelco Schattorie

Schattorie has guided NorthEast into the semi-final

One of the few persons who can be trusted with the responsibility is surely Eelco Schattorie. The Dutchman guided his Indian Super League team NorthEast United into the semi-final and though they lost to eventual champions Bengaluru FC, Schattorie’s work earned praised from all the corners.

When Schattorie was promoted to the position of head coach ahead of ISL 2018-19, not many would have hoped for a miracle. More so because NorthEast had an average side which was missing big names who would win them a match. But the Dutchman clearly thought otherwise. All through the season, he never rued the absence of a big name in his side.

NorthEast’s season has been marred by continuous injuries and suspensions. Schattorie never had too many choices when it came to team selection. Even in the second leg of the semi-final, he missed two main players due to injury and Fernando Gallego followed suit midway into the match.

Schattorie’s tactical acumen and man management are second to none. He has tactically turned an average side into a champion bunch that didn’t fear anyone. He can do the same thing with the Indian team.

Many among the current Indian national team players are young and brave. With a proper guidance and tactics, they could surprise each and every one. No one can do the job better than Schattorie.

#2 Sergio Lobera

Immediately after landing in India, Sergio Lobera knew he had to overcome his emotions. After all, it’s not easy to replace someone like Zico. Lobera knew he had to put all his experience together to continue the legacy that Zico had left.

Fast forward two years and Lobera has done that. After missing the final last year, Lobera guided his team FC Goa into the final this year. Though the title remained elusive once again, Lobera’s work and strategy has not gone unnoticed.

From the very first day, he tried to replicate the Spanish mindset in Indian football. The motto of their strategy is to keep the ball and create as many chances as possible. Lobera won’t mind conceding goals until his team score more than their opponent. In his very first year, FC Goa scored an astonishing 42 goals and amassed most number of passes (10798). This year, they scored 41 but increased the number of passes to 11156.

The Indian team showed their true attacking nature in the second half of the friendly against Jordan and in their opening match of the Asian Cup against Thailand. So, if Lobera decides to implement the same strategy, there is high chance that he would be successful.

Just a month ago, there were rumours from various corners that Lobera would take the charge of the Indian team. But even before that, he had extended his contract with Goa for one more year. It needs to be seen if he is considered for the job or not.

#1 Albert Roca

The most prominent person who is way ahead in the race of the Indian coach is surely Albert Roca. The former Bengaluru coach has the support of none other than Indian captain Sunil Chhetri, which makes him a serious contender.

Roca was considered as the possible contender even when Stephen Constantine was employed with the job. Couple of months before the Asian Cup, all was not well between Chhetri and Constantine. It was heard that the Indian captain made an approach to the AIFF to remove Constantine from the position.

Even before Chhetri, former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia, in his column in Times of India advocated for the appointment of Roca as the Indian head coach. “Great coaches always have the capability to bring out the best and Roca has been spot on with his signings. Bear in mind that he also steered Bengaluru to the inter-zonal AFC Cup final earlier this season. The fact that he has been able to balance Bengaluru’s hectic schedule is something which makes him stand out. Tactically, he has just been exceptional,” Bhutia wrote in his column.

However, the Spaniard was appointed as the head coach of China’s U-23 team just a couple of months ago. Just a few days after that, India bowed out of the Asian Cup and Constantine resigned from his position.

But his appearance in the second leg of the semi-final between Bengaluru FC and NorthEast United sparked off another debate over the possible future. Roca watched the game from the stands and met Chhetri and other players and also his former deputy Carles Cuadrat.

However, AIFF was quick to dismiss any speculation. “Roca had come to watch Bengaluru FC. I bumped into him as he came for lunch when I was checking out (of the hotel). We exchanged normal greetings and nothing else,” a senior AIFF official told Times of India.

Only time will tell what will happen in future.