The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced on Monday that Igor Stimac is no longer the head coach of the Indian men's football team. This follows a disappointing performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Igor Stimac resigns from India Football head coach post
This decision followed a crucial virtual meeting led by AIFF Vice President N.A. Haris. Other key attendees included Menla Ethenpa, Anilkumar Prabhakaran, I.M. Vijayan, Climax Lawrence, and M. Satyanarayan. The main focus of the meeting was the disappointing performance of the national team in the qualifiers. After thorough discussion, the AIFF officials unanimously agreed it was time for a change in leadership. Acting Secretary General Satyanarayan was tasked with informing Stimac of the decision and terminating his contract. The AIFF then formally notified Stimac that his role as head coach had ended.
“Noting the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men’s National Team's FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward. The meeting instructed the Acting Secretary General Mr. Satyanarayan to notify the current Head Coach Mr. Igor Stimac of its decision to terminate his engagement,” AIFF's statement read.
Igor Stimac, a decorated Croatian footballer who earned a World Cup bronze medal in 1998, took the reins of the Indian national team (Blue Tigers) in May 2019. However, his tenure has been a whirlwind of controversy and mixed results.
Stimac's leadership has drawn criticism for tactical approaches, team selections, and in-game decisions. While India secured some notable victories under him, including a clean sweep of the 2023 SAFF Championship and Intercontinental Cup, performances against teams like Kuwait and Afghanistan exposed weaknesses, particularly in attack. These inconsistencies have left fans and experts divided on his overall impact.
Stimac's tenure hasn't been without its share of criticism. One major concern is his lack of a clear tactical philosophy. He seems to fluctuate between possession-based play and relying on long balls, leaving the team without a clear strategy. This inconsistency has been particularly exposed in high-pressure matches against strong opponents, like the disheartening defeats to Australia (0-2) and Uzbekistan (0-3) in the 2023 Asian Cup.
Critics also point to Stimac's in-game management as a weak spot. His struggles with keeping his emotions in check have resulted in multiple touchline bans. Additionally, his tendency to make late substitutions, often when the game is already decided, raises questions about his ability to adapt to changing situations during a match. These decisions have led some to believe he lacks a Plan B for when the initial strategy isn't working.
The controversy surrounding Stimac's tenure reached a new level with allegations of him consulting an astrologer during the Asian Cup Qualifiers. This has raised serious concerns about the professionalism and integrity of the team's management under his leadership.
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