Indian Football Team suffered a much-evitable exit from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers following a 2-1 defeat to Asian Champions Qatar. While Qatar being handed a shambolic goal is a different conversation altogether, there is more to what meets the eye. India head coach Igor Stimac had earlier stated that he would step down if India fails to qualify, now that India is out, an entire nation is waiting for Stimac to keep at least one of his promises. However, at the same time, the AIFF Technical Committee is set to meet on Friday with Stimac’s fate hanging in balance. But things might not be as easy as they seem.
Stimac’s future hangs in balance?
Indian Football Team’s exit from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers left an entire nation angered. While most vented out on the Qatar goal, anyone who has been watching the game knows that it is not even remotely the case. A team that could take only one point out of six against a depleted Afghanistan, lost their ground at that very moment. While the demand for Igor Stimac to be sacked has risen to the roof, it will not be easy to do so even with the technical committee wanting to move on from him for months now.
As per reports, the AIFF Technical Committee is likely to meet on Friday, June 14th at about 10 am. While the entire agenda of the meeting is yet to be brought to light, Igor Stimac;s future and India’s recent poor run have to be the most important topics to be spoken about.
Why it will not be easy to sack Igor Stimac?
Igor Stimac’s future as India’s head coach is dependent on his choice since the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has little room for the upper hand after awarding him a two-year contract extension last year. The coach now makes close to $30,000 each month. Igor Stimac’s contract expires in 2026, thus if the All India Football Federation fires him, he must be compensated for three months. However, if the AIFF fails to do so, Stimac may proceed to FIFA, something the federation would want to avoid.
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Stimac’s contract extended against the committee’s recommendation
Although Stimac stated in March that he would retire if the squad failed to advance to the third round, he stated in the post-match conference following the defeat to Qatar that the decision is not yet final. I.M. Vijayan, head of the AIFF technical committee, is waiting to hear from Stimac about whether he plans to reconsider his judgment. Vijayan also disclosed that Stimac’s contract was extended in October, against the technical committee’s recommendations.
“We thought we had to move on from him, but we found out only through the media that his tenure had been extended,” Vijayan told Sportstar.
AIFF looking to bring in Indian coaches
However, when speaking with Times Now, IM Vijayan remarked that the federation is willing to hire an Indian coach if necessary. Former players Khalid Jamil, Renedy Singh, and Mahesh Gawli are among the top prospects to become India’s head coach.
“Indian coaches are definitely a good option. They will bring fresh ideas, new direction, and we will think of about it. Let Igor Stimac come back to India after his break, and then we will speak to him.” said Vijayan.
He said, “There are many of them, like Khalid Jamil, Renedy Singh and Mahesh Gawli. But they will need to apply first.” he added.
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