Following Manolo Marquez’s exit earlier this month, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has received over 170 applications for the vacant head coach position. The national team is undergoing a significant overhaul ahead of key assignments like the Asian Cup qualifiers in October.
🔹 Top Contenders:
- Robbie Fowler 🇬🇧
Former Liverpool striker & ex-East Bengal coach (2020–21). - Stephen Constantine 🇬🇧
Former India head coach (2002–05 & 2015–19). Most recently managed Pakistan, with a disappointing record of 1 win in 10 games. - Harry Kewell 🇦🇺
Former Australia and Liverpool forward. Last coached Yokohama F. Marinos.
🔹 From the Indian Super League:
- Khalid Jamil 🇮🇳
Took Jamshedpur FC to the ISL 2024–25 semi-finals. Highly familiar with the Indian football scene. - Sergio Lobera 🇪🇸
Highly decorated in Indian football — ISL double with Mumbai City FC, Super Cup with FC Goa. - Andrey Chernyshov 🇷🇺
Former East Bengal head coach. - Sanjoy Sen 🇮🇳
Santosh Trophy-winning coach with Bengal and I-League champion with Mohun Bagan (2015).
🗓️ What’s Next?
- If India skips the September international window, their next fixtures will be the Asian Cup qualifiers vs Singapore on October 9 and 14.
