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Did AIFF use Xavi's name to lure top applicants for India coach role?
New Delhi
When news broke about Xavi Hernandez applying for the India football head coach's job, fans expressed their disappointment that his application would not be considered, as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) could not afford him.
The incident echoed a similar sentiments from two years ago, when Argentina's football governing body approached the AIFF for a friendly match featuring superstar Lionel Messi. India had turned down the proposal, citing financial constraints.
At the time, Messi fans called for a crowdfunding campaign to bring him to India. A similar sentiment resurfaced when Xavi's name emerged in connection with the national coaching role.
However, Spanish media reports have claimed that Xavi never expressed interest in coaching India.
'Sources close to Xavi completely deny that he offered himself to manage the Indian national team. They claim the Indian federation used his name to try and appeal to better candidates,' Barça Universal posted on social media platform X.
‼️Sources close to Xavi completely deny that he offered himself to manage the Indian national team. ❌ They claim the Indian federation used his name to try and appeal to better candidates. — @sport pic.twitter.com/qhNgG908CY
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) July 25, 2025
Meanwhile, world-renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano also denied the reports being circulated in India. He wrote on X, 'Despite recent reports, zero talks took place between Xavi Hernandez and Indian Federation.'
????❌ Despite recent reports, zero talks took place between Xavi Hernández and Indian Federation. ???????? pic.twitter.com/Ae5boa0FKP
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 26, 2025
News agency PTI quoted an AIFF official as saying, 'He (Xavi) applied for the job of the Indian senior men's team football head coach. He has himself mailed his application to the people in the technical committee, and it looks like he was very much interested in the job. However, those tasked with the responsibility of recommending the shortlist of coaches to the executive committee for final approval know that it's difficult.'
Who has applied for the India football coach job?
Three shortlisted by AIFF panel
The experienced Anglo-Cypriot Stephen Constantine, Slovakia's Stefan Tarkovic, and Indian coach Khalid Jamil were the three candidates shortlisted on Wednesday by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) technical committee.
Jamil emerges as frontrunner
Among the shortlisted names, Khalid Jamil appears to be the frontrunner to succeed Manolo Marquez, who stepped down earlier this month following a string of disappointing results. India's FIFA ranking has since dropped to 133—its lowest in nine years.
AIFF received 170 applications
The AIFF had invited applications for the top job on July 4, with a deadline of July 13. A total of 170 candidates applied, including several high-profile names such as former Liverpool stars Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell.
Big names expressed interest before Xavi
Before news surfaced about Xavi Hernandez's application, Fowler and Kewell had already thrown their hats into the ring for the India coaching position.
Xavi's achievements as player and coach
World Cup and Euro champion with Spain
Xavi Hernandez was a central figure in Spain's golden era, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and back-to-back UEFA Euro titles in 2008 and 2012.
Club legend with Barcelona
The 45-year-old midfield maestro enjoyed tremendous success at FC Barcelona, where he won:
Five La Liga titles
Three Copa del Rey trophies
Three UEFA Champions League titles
He was instrumental in Barcelona's historic continental trebles in 2008–09 and 2014–15.
From La Masia to global stardom
A product of Barcelona's famed La Masia academy—like his legendary teammate Lionel Messi—Xavi made over 750 appearances for the club during a 24-year playing career. He left Barcelona as a player in 2015 to join Qatar's Al Sadd, where he won four trophies before retiring in 2019.
Coaching career: From Qatar to Catalonia
After hanging up his boots, Xavi began his managerial journey with Al Sadd from 2019 to 2021. He then returned to FC Barcelona as head coach, serving from 2021 to 2024.
During his time in charge, Barcelona won:
The 2022–23 La Liga title
The 2023 Supercopa de Espana
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