AIFF invites applications for coach of Indian national football team - 3 possible contenders

#1 Albert Roca

Albert Roca has the support of Chhetri

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.