The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has reached an agreement to pay ₹3.36 crore (approximately $400,000) to former India head coach Igor Stimac as part of a settlement, an official from the federation confirmed.
Igor Stimac, 57, had been in a dispute with the AIFF over the terms of his termination, and this payout signifies the conclusion of negotiations between both parties. The official, who spoke anonymously, indicated that this amount would be paid after tax.
Igor Stimac departure
Igor Stimac’s contract with the AIFF had originally been set to run until June 2026. However, after India failed to reach the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Stimac was sacked on June 17.
The AIFF had initially offered him three months’ salary as compensation, but Stimac rejected this offer, claiming that his termination was without just cause. He later approached FIFA, seeking $920,000 (approximately ₹7.72 crore), equivalent to two years of his salary under the terms of his contract.
Igor Stimac’s contract outlined that he was to be paid $30,000 (₹25.19 lakh) per month until June 2025, and $40,000 (₹33.6 lakh) for the following year. Despite the dispute, AIFF officials, including deputy secretary-general Satyanarayan Muthyalu and secretary-general Anilkumar Prabhakaran, continued negotiations through email and phone, eventually leading to a reduced settlement as per Hindustan Times.
AIFF financial struggles
The hefty payout comes at a time when the AIFF has cut back on its budget by nearly ₹20 crore for competitions, raising concerns about financial constraints. This budget cut also played a role in the decision to allow coach Manolo Marquez to oversee both the senior men’s national team and FC Goa, with cost-saving measures in mind.
Despite ongoing financial issues, Igor Stimac remained firm during negotiations. He had turned down offers for five and 10 months’ salary, ultimately proposing a final settlement of $400,000, which was agreed upon by the AIFF’s executive committee. Stimac pointed out that he had significantly reduced his original demand out of fairness, a move he described as showing the “human side” of his personality.
Final agreement reached
After extensive back-and-forth discussions, the AIFF finally agreed to Igor Stimac’s proposal. The settlement was approved in a virtual meeting held by the AIFF’s executive committee, and Stimac signed the documents on his birthday, marking the conclusion of a tense and drawn-out process.
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