Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has expressed his disappointment and has said that he “feels sorry” for the India’s new a head coach Khalid Jamil who has taken charge of the national Men’s Football team at a difficult time for the sport in India, he also mentioned that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) chose him because he is unlikely to make too many demands, and can adjust.
Jamil, who recently replaced Spaniard Manolo Marquez, became the first Indian in 13 years to be appointed as head coach of the senior national team. He has signed a contract until 2027, with an option to extend for another year.
Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia has expressed his disappointment and said he "feels sorry" for India's new head coach, Khalid Jamil, who has taken charge of the men's national football team during a challenging period for the sport in the country. Bhutia also said that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) likely appointed Jamil because he is not expected to make many demands and is someone who can easily adapt to the situations.
Jamil, who recently replaced Spaniard Manolo Marquez, has become the first Indian in 13 years to be named head coach of the senior Men’s national team. He has signed a contract that runs until 2027, with an option to extend it for another year.
“We have got two world-class coaches (Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez) leaving… If these two coaches couldn’t work with the federation, then you bring people who will listen and will do what the federation says…,” Bhaichung Bhutia told PTI Videos after the Fidel Castro Centenary Football Cup’s exhibition match.
“I think Jamil being a domestic coach fits into that, as he is fairly new to the team. I (feel) sorry for him as well, as he is taking charge of the team when it’s in a very difficult situation,” The legendary footballer added.
Khalid Jamil was given the edge over other contenders for the head coach position, including Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic.
Taking a dig at AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey, Bhaichung Bhutia remarked:
“For Kalyan, he (Jamil) is the right choice because Indian coaches don’t demand much.”
Notably, the AIFF president recently admitted that the federation is facing financial difficulties due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League.
“At the same time, he is saying that there are financial problems, and today the federation has gone into such a bad situation that we don’t have money to pay the coaches as well.”
Chaubey had recently admitted that club football is “going through a crisis” due to the uncertainty surrounding the Indian Super League, while attributing the situation to “some self-claimed reformers with vested interests”.
Bhutia also raised concerns over the federation’s handling of administrative matters:
“When the Supreme Court appointed the ad-hoc committee to run the federation for the Under-17 Women’s World Cup, the federation should have asked the SC whether we can run it, or we should have a new body.
“That delay of three years clashed with the MRA rights getting over. That timing could have been tackled much more before coming to this stage. They should have gone to the SC and asked. I have been saying this to find out whether this body can continue, which they did not do purposely,” Bhutia added.
India’s first assignment under new head coach Khalid Jamil will be the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, with matches scheduled to take place in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan starting on August 29.
“It’s a great tournament and good for the Indian team as well, but as I said that (Indian) football is in a mess. You should have sat with the ISL, FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) and the new coach and then taken the call,” Bhutia said.
“And when you start playing this tournament, and suddenly you are trying to play the Super Cup and ISL. Then how does that work? I think it’s going to be a total mess.
“If tomorrow, ISL comes in and says we’re gonna start playing, then you will not have some of the best players playing for the club,” Bhutia concluded.
India will take part in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, starting on August 29 in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.