Media365
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has confirmed that the much-hyped coaching application from Spanish legend Xavi Hernandez was fake. The AIFF also revealed that it had received a similar application from someone pretending to be Pep Guardiola. In an official statement released after a key technical committee meeting, the federation said it could not verify the authenticity of emails that claimed to include applications from both Xavi and Guardiola. It later turned out they were not genuine. “Additionally, 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 statement read. There had been a buzz in Indian football circles when reports suggested that Xavi, the former Barcelona captain and recent manager, was interested in the India job. That buzz has now been put to rest, with the federation focused on practical choices moving forward.
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After going through 170 coaching applications, the AIFF’s technical committee has shortlisted three names for the head coach role: Stephen Constantine, Stefan Tarkovic, and Khalid Jamil. Constantine is well known in Indian football, Tarkovic brings experience from Europe, while Jamil has a strong connection with the domestic scene. Subrata Paul, Director of National Teams, said the AIFF wants someone who understands Indian and Asian football deeply. “It is a very important moment for Indian football. We want a coach who brings technical expertise but also understands our unique culture, style, and players,” he said. India’s recent drop in performance and a current FIFA ranking of 133 has added pressure on the federation. Former coach Igor Stimac was replaced temporarily by Manolo Marquez, who also stepped down after a disappointing run.
