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In what could have been one of the most high-profile appointments in Indian football history, former Barcelona captain and manager Xavi Hernandez reportedly applied for the vacant Indian men’s national team head coach position. However, despite his glittering résumé as both a player and manager, Xavi’s candidacy was ultimately rejected by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) — not due to concerns over tactical fit or philosophy, but rather, financial constraints.
Barcelona-captain-and-manager-Xavi-Hernandez-reportedly-applied-for-the-vacant-Indian-men’s-national-Team-head-coach-position
According to a report from The Times of India, Xavi’s application was one of the 170 reviewed by the AIFF’s technical committee earlier this week. While the committee shortlisted three names — Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic — Xavi’s name was conspicuously absent from the final cut. The reason? The AIFF reportedly found Xavi’s financial demands far beyond what the federation could afford under its current budgetary limitations.
A Star Among Stars
Xavi Hernandez needs little introduction. A midfield metronome, he was the heartbeat of Barcelona and the Spanish national team during a golden era that redefined modern football. As a player, Xavi amassed eight La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League trophies with Barcelona. On the international stage, he was central to Spain’s historic treble — the 2008 and 2012 UEFA European Championships, and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Xavi-amassed-eight-La-Liga-titles-and-Four-UEFA-Champions-League-trophies-with-Barcelona
His transition from playing to coaching began at Al-Sadd in Qatar, where he ended his playing career in 2019 and immediately took over as head coach. In his two-year stint at Al-Sadd, Xavi led the club to several domestic titles, earning praise for implementing a possession-heavy style reminiscent of his playing days at Camp Nou.
In November 2021, he returned to Barcelona as head coach amid the club’s financial and performance crisis, replacing Ronald Koeman. Despite early optimism and some bright spells — including a second-place La Liga finish in 2022 and a Supercopa de España win — the team failed to achieve consistent success. After a trophyless 2023–24 campaign, Barcelona president Joan Laporta made the difficult decision to part ways with the club legend.
Why Xavi Was Rejected by AIFF
While the idea of having someone of Xavi’s pedigree at the helm of Indian football might have excited fans and stakeholders alike, reality painted a different picture.
The AIFF, currently navigating its own restructuring and resource allocation, simply could not afford the financial terms proposed by Xavi’s camp. According to internal sources, Xavi’s salary expectations — even with potential reductions compared to European offers — were still significantly higher than the federation’s budget for the head coach role.
The-AIFF-currently-navigating-its-own-restructuring-and-resource-allocation-simply-could-not-afford-the-financial-terms-proposed-by-Xavi’s camp
Moreover, logistical challenges such as staff accommodation, additional technical team members, and performance-related bonuses were also factored into the total cost, further widening the affordability gap.
A senior AIFF official, speaking anonymously, said,
“We were surprised and honored to receive an application from someone like Xavi. But we must be realistic — hiring him would have consumed nearly half our annual coaching budget. That’s not sustainable, no matter how appealing the name is.”
The Shortlisted Candidates
The AIFF’s technical committee has shortlisted three candidates — two foreign and one Indian:
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Stephen Constantine: A familiar face in Indian football, Constantine had two previous stints as head coach (2002–2005 and 2015–2019). He was instrumental in building the squad that eventually reached the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and helped improve India’s FIFA ranking significantly.
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Khalid Jamil: The most prominent Indian coach currently in circulation, Jamil made history by becoming the first Indian to coach an Indian Super League (ISL) side — NorthEast United FC — in a full-time capacity. Known for his disciplined, defense-oriented approach and ability to motivate underdog teams, Jamil is seen as a sentimental and practical choice.
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Stefan Tarkovic: The Slovakian coach previously managed Slovakia’s national team and guided them to the UEFA Euro 2020. Tarkovic is known for his tactical adaptability and international experience in high-pressure scenarios.
The Selection Process Going Forward
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey confirmed that the technical committee, led by former India star I.M. Vijayan, met virtually to review the 170 applications. After narrowing the pool to three names, the process now moves into its final stage.
“There will probably be a notice for an emergency Executive Committee (EC) meeting,” Chaubey told ANI. “In the next seven or eight days, this meeting will take place. And in the meeting, it will be decided which of the three is appointed as the head coach of the country.”
This method aligns with AIFF’s new constitution, which mandates that the EC has the final authority in approving key appointments.
Fans’ Reactions and Social Media Buzz
News of Xavi’s application — and subsequent rejection — sent Indian football Twitter into a frenzy. While some fans lamented the missed opportunity to have a global icon lead the Blue Tigers, others defended AIFF’s pragmatism.
Imagine-Xavi-coaching-Sunil-Chhetri-in-his-final-season-That-would’ve-been-poetic
One user wrote,
“Imagine Xavi coaching Sunil Chhetri in his final season. That would’ve been poetic.”
Another posted,
“AIFF made the right call. We can’t blow the budget on one name. Build the system first.”
Even prominent Indian football journalists weighed in.
“Xavi’s interest shows how far Indian football has come in global visibility. But hiring him must align with grassroots development — not just headlines,” wrote football analyst Novy Kapadia on his blog.
Could Xavi Still Be Part of Indian Football in the Future?
While the AIFF has shut the door on Xavi for now, some experts believe this may not be the end of his association with Indian football. With the Indian Super League (ISL) continuing to grow and clubs investing more in international expertise, a club-level opportunity could arise for Xavi in the near future.
While-the-AIFF-has-shut-the-door-on-Xavi-for-now-some-experts-believe-this-may-not-be-the-end-of-his-association-with-Indian-football
In fact, certain ISL franchises like Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC — both of which are part of global ownership groups — may be in a better financial position to offer terms that match Xavi’s expectations.
A source from an ISL club, requesting anonymity, told NDTV,
“If the federation can’t make it happen, maybe the league can. Having Xavi involved in Indian football in any capacity would be a win for everyone.”
Conclusion
The rejection of Xavi Hernandez’s application for the Indian national team coaching role is a tale of ambition meeting reality. While his name would’ve undoubtedly added glamour and global attention to Indian football, the financial practicality and long-term vision of the AIFF took precedence.
Still, the mere fact that a footballing icon like Xavi showed interest in Indian football speaks volumes about the sport’s rising profile in the country. As AIFF narrows down its options to more financially viable, yet experienced names, Indian football fans can only hope that the final decision brings both competence and vision to the dugout.
And who knows? In the ever-evolving world of football, Xavi might still set foot in India — perhaps not as national coach, but as a club manager or even mentor in the future. For now, however, the search for India’s next football leader continues — and Xavi will be watching from afar.
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