Who Will Lead the Indian Team? The Race to Find the New Football Coach Heats Up

The race to fill the position of the Indian men's football team's head coach is intensifying as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) gears up to make its decision on August 1. Currently, Khalid Jamil is leading the pack, with Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic still in the running.

According to AIFF officials, the executive committee will meet in early August to deliberate the candidacies. Members have already reviewed the curricula vitae and compensation expectations of all shortlisted candidates. Given AIFF's financial limitations, Jamil, with his experience at Jamshedpur FC, emerges as a strong contender.

However, the committee acknowledges the value of appointing a coach with comprehensive knowledge of the Asian and Indian football landscapes. With Constantine's international experience or Tarkovic's recent coaching stints, the decision remains a challenging task. The outcome will be crucial ahead of India's upcoming matches, including AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in October.

(With inputs from agencies.)