Latest news with #Xavi
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
Student Claims Responsibility For Fake Xavi Application For India Head Coach Role
Last Updated: A 19-year-old student has claimed that he was behind the prank played on the AIFF, as he revealed that he sent an email to the governing body posing as the legendary midfielder. A 19-year-old student from VIT Vellore has claimed that he was behind the 'prank' played on the All-Indian Football Federation, as the governing body received an application for the job of the head coach of the national team from legendary Spanish midfielder Xavi. The student reportedly revealed to The Telegraph Online that he created a fake email id 'xaviofficialfcb@ and requested a prompt from ChatGPT to write an email expressing interest in the vacant head coach role of the Indian football team. It wasn't Xavi who applied to coach India. It was a 19-year-old who used a fake email ID. I spoke to him and he showed me a screen recording from his Sent folder. Yes, this might've been the email AIFF thought came from football deserves better. #IndianFootball #Xavi — Naman Suri (@Namansuri03) July 25, 2025 AIFF had stated that they had received an application from Xavi, but the economic feasibility of hiring the Barcelona legend was beyond a realistic proposition. A day after reports emerged that former Spanish midfielder Xavi had expressed interest in the vacant position as head coach of the Indian national football team, sources close to the World Cup winner revealed that the AIFF had misused his name to enhance the job's profile. Sources associated with the Barcelona legend asserted that Xavi never applied for the role and suggested that the AIFF used his name to generate more interest in the vacancy. The AIFF later admitted that the job applications from Spaniards Xavi and Pep Guardiola for the position of head coach for the Indian men's football team were not genuine. Xavi made the switch to coaching after retiring from a highly successful professional playing career, during which he won every major trophy, including the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro twice, and numerous individual awards. He initially served as head coach at Al Sadd before taking over at Barcelona four years ago, where he guided the Blaugrana to the La Liga title in his first season as head coach of his childhood club. Several prominent figures such as Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, Stephen Constantine, Steve Kean, Khalid Jamil, Kibu Vicuna, and Eelco Schattorie have shown interest in leading the Blue Tigers. 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.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pep Guardiola and Xavi hoax! Indian Football Federation confirm pranksters applied for national team job claiming to be Man City boss and former Barcelona midfielder
AIFF looking for a manager Came across fake applications of Xavi & Guardiola Has shortlisted three names from a list of 170 Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱 WHAT HAPPENED? The development was first brought to light by Subrata Paul, the AIFF's director for the national team, during an interview with The Times of India on Friday. Paul acknowledged that a submission had been received under Xavi's name, though a member of the AIFF's technical committee reportedly dismissed the possibility of hiring him, citing cost concerns. WHAT AIFF SAID In a statement released on Saturday, the AIFF clarified that neither of the Spanish coaching giants had submitted genuine applications for the position. The applications had initially arrived via email and were soon identified as inauthentic following a verification process. The statement read: "The AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine.' THE BIGGER PICTURE India has been without a permanent head coach since early July, when Spanish tactician Manolo Marquez mutually agreed to part ways with the federation. He has since returned to Indian Super League side FC Goa, where he previously enjoyed success. TELL ME MORE In a separate report, it has been claimed that a 19-year-old created a fake email ID named 'xaviofficialfcb@ and sent in the application. DID YOU KNOW? Despite the initial confusion caused by the bogus applications, the AIFF have made significant progress in their recruitment process. The governing body revealed that they received a total of 170 applications for the vacant head coach role and have since trimmed the list down to three final contenders: Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic. WHAT NEXT? With the clock ticking, the AIFF must make an appointment soon. The Blue Tigers will be back in action on October 9 when they face Singapore in an Asian Cup qualifier.
San Francisco Chronicle
3 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Emailed job application supposedly from Xavi was bogus, Indian soccer federation says
India's soccer federation has dispelled speculation Xavi Hernández had applied to coach its national team, saying the job application it apparently received from the former Barcelona player was bogus. The All India Football Federation said Saturday that it had received emailed job applications from senders claiming to be Xavi and Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, but that neither was genuine. Xavi has been without a team since being let go by Barcelona in June 2024. Guardiola, one of the top coaches in the sport, is under contract with City through June 2027. India is looking to replace Spanish coach Manolo Márquez after he left the position by mutual consent earlier this month following just one win in eight games, and less than a year in the job. The federation said Saturday that it has narrowed a group of 170 applicants to three unnamed finalists. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Emailed job application supposedly from Xavi was bogus, Indian soccer federation says
India's soccer federation has dispelled speculation Xavi Hernández had applied to coach its national team, saying the job application it apparently received from the former Barcelona player was bogus. The All India Football Federation said Saturday that it had received emailed job applications from senders claiming to be Xavi and Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola, but that neither was genuine. Indian media reported that Xavi had applied for the role. Xavi has been without a team since being let go by Barcelona in June 2024. Guardiola, one of the top coaches in the sport, is under contract with City through June 2027. India is looking to replace Spanish coach Manolo Márquez after he left the position by mutual consent earlier this month following just one win in eight games, and less than a year in the job. The federation said Saturday that it has narrowed a group of 170 applicants to three unnamed finalists. ___ AP soccer:
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Indian FA reveals job applications from Pep Guardiola and former Barcelona manager Xavi were a HOAX, after team director was tricked by fake emails
The Indian Football Association has revealed it was duped by fake emails claiming to be from football royalty Pep Guardiola and Xavi, who were said to have applied to become the country's next national team coach. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed in a statement that the applications, which had reportedly come via email, were not genuine. 'The AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernandez,' a statement said. 'The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine.' Earlier this week, the AIFF's national team director had told the Times of India that Xavi's name had appeared among the applicants – with a technical committee member claiming he was considered too expensive to pursue. It has now emerged that Guardiola's name was also fraudulently included. Xavi is currently unemployed after leaving his role as Barcelona boss in May, while Guardiola remains under contract with Manchester City until 2027. Neither has ever managed a national team, although Guardiola has previously expressed interest. 'A national team. I would like to train a national team for a World Cup or a European Championship. I would like that,' Guardiola said last year. 'I don't know who would want me! To work for a national team they have to want you, just like a club.' India are searching for a replacement for Manolo Márquez, who was sacked this month after a brief stint and has returned to his former club FC Goa. The national side are currently ranked 133rd in the world and were knocked out in the second round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. The AIFF confirmed it had received 170 applications for the vacant role, narrowing them to a shortlist of 10 before selecting three final candidates. 'Given the immediate needs of the national team, it is advisable to recommend three coaches from the shortlisted pool for final consideration,' the AIFF said. 'Other prominent applicants, many of whom are highly qualified international coaches, will be taken into account for long-term strategic roles in the future.' According to the Times of India, the three candidates being considered are former India manager Stephen Constantine, ex-Slovakia boss Stefan Tarkovic, and Indian football stalwart Khalid Jamil. India have never competed at a men's FIFA World Cup, although they did qualify for the 1950 tournament in Brazil before later withdrawing.
