Liverpool legend Fowler, Constantine and Jamil amongst candidates for Indian males’s soccer group job: Report

Former India coach Stephen Constantine, Liverpool legends Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell and Jamshedpur FC’s Khalid Jamil are among the many 170 candidates for the Indian males’s soccer group head coach position, following Manolo Marquez’s
departure from the Blue Tigers earlier this month.

Marquez, who’s again with Indian Tremendous League (ISL) facet FC Goa, left the Indian males’s soccer group head coach place after a one-year tumultuous tenure, which has seen the group plummet to 133rd FIFA rating.

The AIFF is now in must shortly discover a substitute as India are nonetheless combating to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia. Among the many many candidates, probably the most outstanding are former Liverpool footballers Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell, former Barcelona reserves supervisor Jordi Vinyals and former Brazil U-17 coach Caio Zanardie, as per a report within the Occasions of India.

Former Tajikistan, Maldives and Afghanistan coach Peter Segrt, Mauritania coach Aritz Lopez Garai and Roel Coumans, who was a part of the Australian group teaching employees on the 2018 World Cup, have additionally utilized to AIFF.

The Indian soccer federation, nonetheless, is just not glad because it feels the “high-profile” candidates are lacking. “Final 12 months there was huge curiosity within the job, lots of them (present) nationwide group coaches and those that had managed groups on the FIFA World Cup,” a senior AIFF official instructed TOI. “This time round, there’s additionally curiosity from the world over, however not as many high-profile candidates.”

Will Constantine get a 3rd tenure?

Constantine, who has coached India in 73 matches throughout two tenures, is among the most acquainted names. He has received a number of tournaments with India, together with the LG Cup (2002), SAFF Cup (2015), Tri Nation Collection (2017) and Inter-Continental Cup (2018).

Antonio Lopez Habas and Sergio Lobera, who’ve trophies in ISL, are additionally in rivalry after making use of for the job. Former Punjab FC coach Staikos Vergetis, who received the I-League with them, has additionally utilized.

The record of Indian coaches who’ve utilized for the highest job consists of Khalid Jamil, Sanjoy Sen and Santosh Kashyap.

The AIFF continues to be to select an inventory of ultimate candidates, who shall be interviewed earlier than a ultimate appointment is made.

India’s subsequent match is in opposition to Singapore, away from residence, however they might additionally play some friendlies in September and October FIFA home windows. They’re at present on the backside of their group within the ultimate spherical of qualifiers after shedding 1-0 to Hong Kong final month.

India nonetheless have 4 matches left within the group, however solely the winner will qualify for the Asian Cup, which implies the Blue Tigers should purpose for 4 wins out of all remaining matches.