Jamil named Indian men’s football team coach

NEW DELHI: Khalid Jamil on Friday became the first Indian to become the head coach of the national football team in 13 years as he pipped Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic to grab the coveted post.

The last Indian to serve as the head coach of the national men’s team was Savio Medeira, who held the position from 2011 to 2012.

The 48-year-old Jamil had guided the unheralded Aizawl Football Club to a famous I-League title in 2017 and has a tough task at hand to turnaround the struggling Indian team’s declining fortunes.

A former India international and currently in charge of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC, Jamil was selected by the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) executive committee.

The AIFF Technical Committee, led by legendary striker IM Vijayan, had shortlisted the three candidates for the executive committee’s final decision.

An AFC Pro License Diploma holder, Jamil will succeed Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who parted ways with the AIFF last month following India’s recent struggles.

“The AIFF ExCo has picked Khalid Jamil as the new head coach but his tenure has not yet been decided. We will do that after discussions with him and among ourselves. We also have to discuss with him his salary,” AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey said after the meeting.

“Jamil wanted a three-year tenure. Some ExCo members said it could be one year or two years. But it will be a long-term tenure, may be two or three years, and performance-based,” Chaubey said.

The AIFF president also made it clear that Jamil will be a full-time national team head coach and will not be associated with any other club.

Jamil’s predecessor Manolo had played a dual role during his one-year tenure, taking charge of ISL side FC Goa when there was no national team matches.

“Jamil will only be head coach of the national team,” Chaubey replied when asked whether Jamil will also play dual role just like Manolo.

His first assignment in his new role will be the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup, to be held in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from August 29.

There are, however, indications that Jamil may be allowed to continue with Jamshedpur FC in the ongoing Durand Cup whose final is scheduled for August 23. Jamshedpur has made it to the quarterfinals, and if it enters the final, there could be very less time for Jamil to work for the Indian team before the CAFA Nations Cup