Latest news with #AIFF
Mint
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Mint
India men's football head coach: What makes Khalid Jamil frontrunner ahead of Stephen Constantine & Stefan Tarkovic?
The Indian men's football team will have a new head coach when the All India Football Federation (AIFF) executive committee meets virtually on Friday. Following the departure of Manolo Marquez, the AIFF had invited applications for the position. The governing body of Indian football in the country shortlisted Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic among the 170 names submitted. Jamil is currently coaching Jamshedpur FC in the ongoing Durand Cup while Constantine is a former India head coach. Tarkovic, who had been a national team coach, has no links with Indian football. However, among the three, Jamil looks to be the frontrunner for the top job. A former player, Tarkovic has been at helm for his native Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan - a criteria that will be given preference according to the AIFF advertisement. However, Tarkovic lack of knowledge about Indian football puts him out of contention for the job. Tarkovic's last assignment was with Kyrgyzstan that ended in June 2024. Why Stephen Constantine is unlikely to get third term? Constantine, 62, has been India head coach twice, from 2002-05 and 2015-19. The Anglo-Cypriot was also in charge of East Bengal in the Indian Super League in 2022-23 but the club's ninth-place finish could put him at a disadvantage. Constantine took charge of Pakistan in 2023 and though they won a first World Cup qualifier (against Cambodia) under him, it turned out to be his only win in 10 matches in charge.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Jamil tipped to get India coach's job
Kolkata: Khalid Jamil is likely to be the first Indian in over 13 years to be named head coach of the men's senior national football team when the executive committee of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) meets virtually on Friday. Khalid Jamil is set to be the first Indian in over 13 years to be named head coach of the men's senior national team. (Sportzpics/ISL) Jamil, 48, is now overseeing his club Jamshedpur FC's campaign in the 134th Durand Cup. If appointed, his first assignment should be the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup from August 31. Along with Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic, Jamil is in the final shortlist handed over to the executive committee on July 23. From 170 applications, the list was pruned by national team director Subrata Paul, AIFF technical director Syed Sabir Pasha, and the federation's technical committee headed by IM Vijayan. Bimal Ghosh and Armando Colaco, advisors to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, also gave inputs. While Tarkovic and Constantine have been national team coaches – a requirement that will be given preference, as per the advertisement issued by AIFF on July 4 – what could swing the argument in favour of Jamil is that he would need the least time to bed-in. Tarkovic has never coached in India and that effectively puts the 52-year-old Slovak, who has European championship finals experience and whose last assignment with Kyrgyzstan ended in June 2024, third in the pecking order. Constantine, 62, has been India head coach twice, from 2002-05 and 2015-19. The Anglo-Cypriot was also in charge of East Bengal in the Indian Super League in 2022-23 but the club's ninth-place finish could put him at a disadvantage. Constantine took charge of Pakistan in 2023 and though they won a first World Cup qualifier (against Cambodia) under him, it turned out to be his only win in 10 matches in charge. Jamil led Jamshedpur FC to the ISL semi-final and Super Cup final last term and has not lost in the Durand Cup. In short, if current form is the consideration, the former India international is the favourite despite his lack of international experience and working with a changing room full of big names. 'The fact that he would also cost the least is an advantage,' said an AIFF executive committee member on Thursday. 'If the only Indian coach to make the ISL semi-finals twice does not get a chance, who should,' said another member. Not authorised to speak to the media, the members did not want to be named. The last Indian coach to head the national team was Savio Medeira, who was in charge from October 2011 to March 2012.
First Post
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Xavi "Rejected" by AIFF? India Pranked And Embarrassed Again First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Xavi "Rejected" by AIFF? India Pranked And Embarrassed Again | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G Indian Football is once again in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. After putting out a corporate-style job ad for the men's team coach, the AIFF claimed it had rejected World Cup winner and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez. What followed was a full-blown PR disaster- AIFF's Director confirmed Xavi's interest, only for a later statement to reveal the email was fake, allegedly sent by a prankster student. Rupha Ramani breaks down the chaos, the embarrassing missteps by Indian football's governing body, and asks the big question—was this an honest mistake, or a desperate attempt to hype up a system running on empty? See More
First Post
7 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Eng V Ind: Stokes Faces Heat For Bullying India In Manchester First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Eng V Ind: Stokes Faces Heat For Bullying India In Manchester | First Sports With Rupha Ramani |N18G The fourth Test between India and England at Manchester was officially a draw. But for Team India, it felt like a victory. It was the fiery final hour that sparked a major controversy. England, led by Ben Stokes, attempted to force India into shaking hands and ending the Test early. A period where two Indian batters were on the brink of historic centuries. What followed was a shocking display of entitlement and arrogance from the English side, triggering a wave of outrage. Rupha Ramani dissects every layer, from the tactical fightback by Jadeja and Washington Sundar, the controversial statements by Stokes, to the rightful backlash led by Gautam Gambhir and others. This wasn't just a cricket clash - it showed the "spoiled kid" and "silly" behaviour England showed. Also on the show, England's women's team won the Euros after beating Spain in penalties. The Lionesses exacted the revenge of their 2023 FIFA World Cup loss. The triumph comes after a series of rows. From racism to negligence by the royal family, the team went through a lot. Will this inspire the rest of the English athletes? And Indian football is getting mocked due to a teenager's prank. The AIFF earlier claimed they "rejected" Xavi Hernandez's application. The body later accepted it was a fake application. Was this a PR stunt by AIFF to hype up the India head coach job? See More
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Sweety Devi inspires young aspirants at Zinc Football Girls Academy launch
The captain of the Indian women's football team Sweety Devi interacted with the trainees at the launch of the Zinc Football Girls Academy at the Zawar Mines here on Thursday. Sweety told the 20 girls, chosen in the under-15 age group for the academy — the first of its kind in the country, the pride she and the national team had felt by beating Thailand 'in their ground, in front of their people' to qualify for the AFC Cup. 'Our dream is to play in the World Cup. It will be tough teams to play in Australia to qualify, but we have time to prepare till March,' said Sweety. India's captain… the lovely Sweety Devi is here with us for our big day 💙💛#DeshKaSapnaGoalApna# — Zinc Football (@ZincFootball) July 31, 2025 She was particularly impressed with the F-Cube technology used for training at the academy, with a digital wall, on which the trainees were bombarding their shots, offering varied data and scientific analysis for speedy development of players. 'We are working hard to make life easy for you in future. We didn't have such technology, but we train with such intensity and are so tired that we don't remember that we have a mobile phone. 'We have no distraction. It is amazing that you have such technology to train at the grassroots level. We need such training centres in different parts of the country, and for girls,' said Sweety. The president of the All India Football Federation (AIFF), Kalyan Chaubey lauded Hindustan Zinc for the initiative and expressed confidence that in five years time many girls from the academy would represent the country. Kishore Kumar, the chief operating officer of Hindustan Zinc, said that the success of developing around 200 boys at the centre since 2017 had prompted the team to focus on women empowerment and inclusivity. Hindustan Zinc 🤝 AIFF Read more about the partnership 🔗 ⚽️ — Indian Football Team (@IndianFootball) July 31, 2025 The objective of the academy was nicely expressed in the slogan, 'Desh ka sapna, Goal apna'. Priya Agarwal Hebbar , chairperson Hindustan Zinc, sought guidance from AIFF, and assured that the organisation was willing to do everything to develop the 20 girls who have the passion and determination to excel in the game, and emerge as strong personalities. Maharani Nivritti Kumari Mewar appreciated the efforts and said that sports like football taught so much, and played such a significant part in the lives of youngsters, especially in ensuring good mental health. 'Football means team work, and it teaches you to be selfless in achieving the collective goal. For the girls, it will be a great way to be physically strong,' said Nivritti Kumari. In due course, the academy aspires to accommodate 60 girls, and the work on developing the residential infrastructure was already in progress. Kishore Kumar assured that there was no dearth of resources and the organisation was willing to 'scale up' the efforts to strengthen the grassroots of Indian football.
