Bhaichung Bhutia: Feel sorry for Khalid Jamil taking charge of India team in tough times

The Hindu

4 days ago

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia feels 'sorry' for Khalid Jamil, who has taken charge of the national football team at a time when the sport is going through a difficult phase in the country and said the All India Football Federation (AIFF) preferred him because he is unlikely to make too many demands.
Jamil, who replaced Spaniard Manolo Marquez, became the first Indian in 13 years to be appointed as head coach of the senior national team. He signed a two-year contract, with an option to extend for another year.
AIFF confirms the appointment of Khalid Jamil as head coach of the Indian senior men's national football team on a two-year contract, with an option to extend for another year.
Jamil will work exclusively with the national team on a full-time basis.
Details:… pic.twitter.com/k71QmBXgHm — Sportstar (@sportstarweb) August 13, 2025
'We have got two world-class coaches (Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez) leaving … If these two coaches couldn't work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what the Federation says…,' Bhutia told PTI Videos after the Fidel Castro Centenary Football Cup's exhibition match.
'I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that, as he is fairly new to the team. I (feel) sorry for him as well, as he is taking charge of the team when it's in a very difficult situation,' he added.
Jamil was chosen ahead of Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic.
Taking aim at AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, Bhutia said, 'For Kalyan, he (Jamil) is the right guy because Indian coaches do not demand much.
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At the same time, he is saying that there are financial problems, and today the federation has gone into such a bad situation that we don't have money to pay the coaches as well.
Chaubey had recently admitted that club football is 'going through a crisis' due to the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, while attributing the situation to 'some self-claimed reformers with vested interests'.
Indian football in a mess
Bhutia also raised concerns over the federation's handling of administrative matters.
'When the Supreme Court appointed the ad-hoc committee to run the Federation for the U-17 Women's World Cup, the Federation should have asked the SC whether we can run it, or we should have a new body.
'That delay of three years clashed with the MRA rights getting over. That timing could have been tackled much more before coming to this stage. They should have gone to the SC and asked. I have been saying this to find out whether this body can continue, which they did not do purposely,' Bhutia added.
Bhutia also raised concerns over the federation's handling of administrative matters at a time when India's top-flight in men's football remains suspended. | Photo Credit: PTI
India will take part in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, starting on August 29 in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
'It's a great tournament and good for the Indian team as well, but as I said that (Indian) football is in a mess. You should have sat with the ISL, FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) and the new coach and then taken the call,' Bhutia said.
'And when you start playing this tournament, and suddenly you are trying to play the Super Cup and ISL. Then how does that work? I think it's going to be a total mess.
'If tomorrow, ISL comes in and says we're gonna start playing, then you will not have some of the best players playing for the club,' he added.