AIFF Shortlists Three Candidates for Indian Men’s Football Team Head Coach Role

The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) Technical Committee on Wednesday announced a three-man shortlist for the vacant Indian men’s national team head coach position. Following a review of 170 applications received earlier this month, the committee has forwarded the names of Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic to the Executive Committee, which will take the final decision.

The head coach position has remained unfilled since Manolo Marquez parted ways with the national team earlier this month. With the next major fixture — an Asian Cup qualifier against Singapore on October 9 — looming large, AIFF has intensified its search for a suitable candidate to lead the Blue Tigers into their next chapter.

Among the frontrunners is Stephen Constantine, the former India boss who previously enjoyed a successful spell with the team between 2015 and 2019. Under Constantine, India climbed the FIFA rankings from a lowly 173 to 97, and qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Backers of the Englishman suggest a short-term appointment until the October qualifier, with the possibility of a longer tenure based on performance.

Another familiar face on the list is Khalid Jamil, currently head coach of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC. Jamil is best known for leading underdog Aizawl FC to an improbable I-League title in 2017, one of Indian football’s most celebrated success stories. His recent achievements include guiding both NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC to ISL semifinals, as well as taking the latter to the Super Cup final last season. Though earlier considered for the U-23 national role, his contract with Jamshedpur until 2026 prevented that move.

The third name, Stefan Tarkovic, brings international experience but is relatively unknown in Indian football circles. The Slovakian coach has managed both Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan at the senior national level. Under his guidance, Slovakia reached the group stage of UEFA EURO 2020 for the first time, while Kyrgyzstan finished fourth at the CAFA Nations Cup. His candidacy offers a fresh, foreign perspective and tactical acumen drawn from European competition.

“The TC has recommended the resumes of the three shortlisted candidates to the Executive Committee, which will take the final call on who the next Blue Tigers head coach will be,” AIFF confirmed in a statement.

As the final decision approaches, all eyes will be on the Executive Committee to choose between familiarity, domestic success, or international pedigree to steer Indian football forward.