Khalid Jamil Becomes First Full-Time Indian Head Coach Of National Football Team Since 2005
The AIFF picked Jamil to helm the Blue Tigers due to his familiarity with the players and the setup ahead of crucial upcoming tournaments.
Khalid Jamil is all set to script a new chapter in Indian football history, taking the reins as head coach of the national team—a move both bold and steeped in promise for fans across the country.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has paved the way for Jamil, currently mentoring Jamshedpur FC, to become the first Indian to hold the position full-time since Sukhvinder Singh in 2005. In true drama befitting Indian football, the offer is on Jamil's table, with a decision expected in just 24 to 48 hours. Once formalized, it signals a rare vote of confidence in homegrown coaching talent, after years of foreign stewardship and only brief interim stints by Indians like Armando Colaco and Savio Medeira.
Jamil's appointment is more than a personnel shuffle. 'It was felt the federation must give an opportunity to an Indian coach," the AIFF declared after its executive committee meeting. Especially with India gearing up for the CAFA Nations Cup later this August and a crucial double-header Asian Cup qualifying clash against Singapore looming in October, the consensus was that Jamil's hands-on familiarity with Indian footballers gave him an edge. 'Jamil would be a better option, since he has been working with Indian players on a regular basis," the federation stated.
Jamil's track record is the stuff of underdog legend. He holds an AFC pro coaching license since 2015, has managed more than 200 I-League matches, and masterminded Aizawl FC's fairytale I-League title in 2017, edging out giants like Mohun Bagan. In the ISL, he guided NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur, both budget-conscious squads, straight into the semifinals.
But every story has its doubters. 'At Mohun Bagan and East Bengal… he was never really successful. The question is whether he can manage the egos (in the national team dressing room) or get rid of the egos," wondered Dempo's technical director Pradhyum Reddy. Others voiced concerns about Jamil's limited international exposure: 'From a technical point of view, it's not the best appointment," Reddy added.
Still, circumstances and sentiment might be on Jamil's side, with the AIFF's finances reportedly stretched and a domestic touch deemed prudent. 'At times like these, hiring an experienced Indian coach makes perfect sense," summed up an AIFF member.
Indian football fans, mark your calendars: Jamil's India faces Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4 in the CAFA Nations Cup, followed by Asian Cup qualifier showdowns with Singapore and Bangladesh. The nation now waits—can 'Khalid bhai" turn familiar grit into continental glory?
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
a minute ago
- Indian Express
India qualify for AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup for first time in two decades
India qualified for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup football for the first time in two decades after edging past Myanmar 1-0 in their final Group D qualifying match here on Sunday. Pooja scored the decisive goal in the 27th minute at the Thuwunna Stadium as India finished on top of the group with seven points to make it to the 2026 edition of the main tournament in Thailand. India dominated the first half while Myanmar controlled the proceedings in the second. Neha and Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam combined in the third minute to threaten the Myanmar goal but it did not lead to a goal. The hosts launched a few counter-attacks, and forward Su Su Khin came close to scoring in the ninth minute. Pooja gave India the lead before the half-hour mark. She herself initiated the counter attack before crossing it in from the right. The ball evaded one and all, but Neha, at the opposite flank, managed to get onto the end of it and sent it looping back in. Pooja, who had made her way to the goalmouth by then, barely had enough time to react, and plonked it over the line with her torso. That calmed the nerves in the Indian camp, and the Young Tigresses kept the ball and took their slender lead into the break. The second half was a completely different affair. Buoyed by the home support, Myanmar came all guns blazing, and India goalkeeper Monalisha Devi had to make a smart 48th-minute save to keep Su Su Khin out. India dug deep, as they absorbed wave after wave of Myanmar attacks. Monalisha, who had not conceded a single goal in the previous two matches, was called into action with 10 minutes left on the clock, when Myanmar substitute Moe Pwint Phyu struck a headed cross sent by Ei Thet Phyo on to the upright. The ball kept rolling tantalisingly on the line, before the India goalkeeper leapt across and swiped it away to safety. Phyu hit the woodwork once again, this time in the 90th minute, when her shot took a deflection off Shubhangi, only to bounce out of play. Seconds later, India broke on the counter as Sibani sent a cross to Sulanjana Raul, who also hit the woodwork, her header crashing into the cross-bar. Despite all the pressure from the hosts, India clung on to their lead, and secured qualification for the first time since 2006.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
a minute ago
- First Post
India qualify for AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup for the first time in two decades
The Young Tigresses finished top of their group with seven points, after winger Pooja's 27th-minute goal secured a victory for them in front of a partisan crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium. read more The India U20 women's national team secured qualification for the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup for the first time in 20 years, after defeating hosts Myanmar 1-0 in their final Group D encounter at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon, on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The Young Tigresses finished top of their group with seven points, after winger Pooja's 27th-minute goal secured a victory for them in front of a partisan crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also Read | India edge out Myanmar in the game of two halves It was a game of two halves, the first dominated by India, while Myanmar controlled the proceedings in the second. Neha and Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam combined as early as the third minute, when the former fizzed in a cross to the latter, who was merely inches away from tapping it in. While the hosts absorbed all the pressure, they did launch a few counter attacks, and forward Su Su Khin came close in the ninth, after receiving a chest-down from Yin Loon Eain. More from Football The hosts began to ease their way into the game as the minutes wore on, but India took the lead through Pooja minutes ahead of the 30-minute mark. It was Pooja herself, who had started the attack on the counter before crossing it in from the right. Her ball evaded one and all, but Neha, at the opposite flank, managed to get onto the end of it and sent it looping back in. Pooja, who had made her way to the goalmouth by then, barely had enough time to react, and plonked it over the line with her torso. That calmed the nerves in the Indian camp. At least till the end of the first half. The Young Tigresses kept the ball and took their slender lead into the break. The second half was a completely different prospect, however. Buoyed by the home support, Myanmar came all guns blazing, and India goalkeeper Monalisha Devi had to make a smart 48th-minute save to keep Su Su Khin out. India had dug their trenches, and they dug deep, as they absorbed wave after wave of Myanmar attacks. Monalisha, who had not conceded a single goal in the previous two matches, was called into action with 10 minutes left on the clock, when Myanmar substitute Moe Pwint Phyu struck a headed cross by Ei Thet Phyo into the upright. The ball kept rolling tantalisingly on the line, before the India goalkeeper leapt across and swiped it away to safety. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Phyu hit the woodwork once again, this time in the 90th minute, when her shot took a deflection off Shubhangi, only to crash into the upright and bounce out of play. Seconds later, India broke on the counter as Sibani sent a cross to Sulanjana Raul, who also hit the woodwork, her header crashing into the cross-bar. Despite all the pressure from the hosts, India clung on to their lead, and secured qualification for the first time in two decades. India U20 Women: Monalisha Devi Moirangthem (GK), Remi Thokchom, Thoibisana Chanu Toijam, Arina Devi Nameirakpam (Bhumika Devi Khumukcham 55'), Neha (Deepika Pal 69'), Pooja, Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam, Shubhangi Singh (C), Anju Chanu Kayenpaibam (Babita Kumari 90+1'), Cindy Remruatpuii Colney, Sulanjana Raul (Nishima Kumari 90+1').
The Hindu
a minute ago
- The Hindu
Surfer Ramesh Budihal's achievement inspires budding surfers, says Kerala Tourism Minister
The achievement of Ramesh Budihal, who created history as the first Indian surfer to qualify for the Open Men's final at the ASF Asian Surfing Championships 2025, gives a fillip to the attempts by Kerala Tourism to make the State as a popular adventure tourism destination. Lauding Mr. Budihal, who hails from the State, Kerala Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas has said his remarkable achievement at the ongoing championships in the picturesque coastal town of Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, underscores the rapid advancement of Kerala on the global surfing map, along with inspiring budding surfers to pursue their dreams in the exhilarating world of surfing. The surfing sensation from Kovalam in Kerala secured his spot in the finals after an impressive performance in the semifinal heat, finishing with a score of 11.43 points, which earned him second place. His accomplishment not only celebrates individual talent but also validates Kerala's dedicated efforts to position itself as a prominent hub for adventure sports, Mr. Riyas said. He dominated his heat with a remarkable score of 14.84 points, surpassing top competitors from across Asia, including the Philippines' Neil Sanchez, who finished with 12.80 points. The journey of the young man, who started surfing the waves of Kovalam and established himself among the top surfers in Asia, is a hope for the adventure sport buffs from the State. The State has recently hosted events like the International Surfing Championship, in Varkala, significantly attracting energetic youth to explore this exhilarating discipline and drawing surfing enthusiasts to Kerala coasts from across the globe. 'Kerala is at the forefront of major events in adventure sports,' Mr. Riyas said, highlighting major events listed on the God's Own Country's tourism calendar. All of these events attract global champions, helping Kerala to emerge as a model for adventure sports in India. They include the Malabar River Festival, which is one of Asia's largest white-water kayaking tournaments; the National Surfing Championship in Varkala; the Paragliding Festival in Vagamon; and the Mountain Terrain Bike Tournament in Mananthavady.
