August 5 – Khalid Jamil has been named the new manager of India with the CAFA Nations Cup at the end of August looming as his first managerial task.
Jamil succeeds the winless Manolo Marquez, who ended his tenure by mutual consent less than a year after taking charge.
The 40-cap former Indian international was selected from a three-man shortlist that included Stephen Constantine and Slovakia’s Stefan Tarkovic. The selection process was not without hiccups; a hoax application by ‘Xavi Hernandez’ made headlines and left the All India Football Federation (AIFF) embarrassed.
“The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men’s National Team,” the AIFF confirmed in a statement.
Jamil becomes the first Indian to take on the role since Savio Medeira’s spell in 2012. The AIFF’s financial constraints meant that the organisation could ill-afford another foreign manager.
The 48-year-old Jamil is a seasoned head coach. He has worked with Indian Super League clubs NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC as well as with both Kolkata giants – East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. He led Aizawl FC to their only I-League title in the 2016-17 season, a fairytale story that resonated across Indian sports.
Later this month, Jamil will debut at the CAFA Nations Cup, where the Blue Tigers will play Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan, but his main goal will be qualification for the 2027 Asian Cup. In the third round of qualifying, India are lingering at the bottom of Group C with one point from two matches against Bangladesh and Hong Kong. Only the group winners will claim a ticket to Saudi Arabia.
Contact the writer of this story Samindra Kunti at moc.l1754403709labto1754403709ofdlr1754403709owedi1754403709sni@o1754403709fni1754403709