In a surprising twist, former Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has been turned down for the head coach position of the Indian national football team.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) received his application among 170 others, but financial constraints led to its rejection, highlighting the challenges of securing a high-profile coach for Indian football.
The news has sparked widespread discussion, with other notable applicants, including two former Liverpool stars, also in the mix for the vacant role.
Xavi, renowned for his illustrious playing career and successful managerial stints at Al-Sadd and Barcelona, where he won the 2022-23 La Liga title, applied via his email, as confirmed by AIFF’s national team director Subrata Paul, as reported by The Times of India.
However, the AIFF’s technical committee, chaired by I.M. Vijayan, deemed his financial demands unaffordable, despite his expressed interest in Indian football, previously noting his awareness of the Indian Super League due to its Spanish coaches.
The decision underscores the federation’s focus on fiscal practicality over star power.
Alongside Xavi, former Liverpool players Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell also applied, but their candidacies were similarly overlooked, likely for budgetary reasons.
The AIFF has shortlisted three candidates: Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic. Jamil, the first Indian coach to manage an Indian Super League side full-time, is a frontrunner, potentially marking a historic appointment as the first Indian national team coach in over a decade.
Constantine, with prior stints leading India, and Tarkovic, who coached Slovakia, offer international experience.
The final decision awaits the AIFF’s executive committee review, expected within days.
Xavi’s rejection has fueled debate among fans, with some lamenting a missed opportunity to elevate Indian football’s global profile.
Despite his credentials, including eight La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies as a player, the AIFF’s financial realities prevailed.
This development reflects the broader complexities of balancing ambition with resources as Indian football seeks to rebuild after a trophyless 2023-24 season under former coach Manolo Marquez.
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