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In a significant development for Indian football, the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) technical committee has shortlisted three candidates for the position of the national men’s team head coach. The trio includes two seasoned foreign tacticians — Stephen Constantine of England and Stefan Tarkovic of Slovakia — and India’s very own Khalid Jamil, who has emerged as a strong frontrunner for the role.
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The move comes after Spaniard Manolo Marquez and the AIFF parted ways earlier this month in the wake of India’s disappointing run in recent tournaments, which saw the Blue Tigers plummet in form and confidence. Now, with the September international window and critical AFC Asian Cup qualifiers looming, the urgency to appoint a new head coach has grown more pressing.
The Final Three: Profiles and Pedigrees
Khalid Jamil: The Homegrown Favourite
Of the three, Khalid Jamil, 48, appears to have the inside track. An accomplished Indian coach with a compelling story, Jamil’s journey has been one of determination, resilience, and footballing vision.
Currently managing Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), Jamil’s coaching credentials are underlined by his extraordinary feat with Aizawl FC, whom he guided to an I-League title in the 2016-17 season — a modern Indian football fairy tale. That triumph marked the first time a club from the Northeast clinched India’s top league title.
Jamil is an AFC Pro Licensed coach and has been named the AIFF Coach of the Year for two consecutive seasons (2023-24 and 2024-25). His coaching portfolio includes stints at legacy clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and NorthEast United, where he made history in 2021 by becoming the first Indian head coach to lead an ISL team to the playoffs.
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A former India international midfielder, Jamil represented the national team 40 times between 1998 and 2006, playing for clubs like Mahindra United, Air India, and Mumbai FC during his playing days. His dual experience as a player and coach gives him deep insight into the Indian footballing ecosystem — a quality few others possess.
Stephen Constantine: The Experienced Campaigner
Stephen Constantine, 62, is no stranger to Indian football. Having served two previous terms as the national team head coach — first from 2002 to 2005, and later from 2015 to 2019 — Constantine is widely credited for reviving the national team’s fortunes during his second stint.
Under his leadership, India climbed over 70 places in the FIFA rankings and qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Known for his disciplined, tactical approach, Constantine has a global coaching résumé, with prior assignments in Nepal, Malawi, Rwanda, and more recently, Pakistan — whom he coached during their 2023 SAFF Championship campaign.
He also coached East Bengal in the 2022-23 ISL season and is well-versed with Indian football’s evolving landscape. While Constantine’s familiarity with the Indian football system is an asset, some in the AIFF circles are concerned about the optics of revisiting an old chapter instead of forging a new direction.
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Stefan Tarkovic: The European Option
The third candidate, Stefan Tarkovic, brings with him a European pedigree. The 52-year-old Slovak was head coach of Slovakia’s national team from 2020 to 2022, guiding them through UEFA Euro 2020 where Slovakia registered a memorable 2-1 win over Poland.
Tarkovic was later appointed head coach of Kyrgyzstan from 2023 to 2024 and is regarded as a tactician who promotes structured, possession-based football. Though he lacks direct experience in Indian football, Tarkovic’s international background and technical nous are seen as valuable traits by sections of the AIFF, especially for a team looking to evolve stylistically and improve its continental competitiveness.
No Interview Round: AIFF Keen on Swift Appointment
The urgency around the appointment is largely driven by India’s upcoming fixtures. The Blue Tigers are set to participate in the FIFA international window in September and will face Singapore in AFC Asian Cup qualifiers — home and away — on October 9 and 14.
Given this tight schedule, the AIFF Executive Committee is expected to skip traditional interview rounds and finalize the coach from the shortlisted candidates based on the technical committee’s recommendations and available dossiers.
According to sources close to the development, “The technical committee zeroed in on three applicants and sent their names for consideration to the AIFF Executive Committee. The shortlisted candidates will be vetted and a decision is expected shortly.”
The AIFF Technical Committee, chaired by former India captain I.M. Vijayan, includes members such as Shabbir Ali, Climax Lawrence, Harjinder Singh, Victor Amalraj, Santosh Singh, and Pinky Magar. Their assessment was based on experience, past performance, knowledge of Indian football, and strategic alignment with India’s footballing goals.
170 Applicants, Big Names Miss Out
The AIFF had opened the application process on July 4 and closed it on July 13, receiving over 170 applications from around the world. Among them were notable names like Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell, former stars for Liverpool and Australia, respectively.
Interestingly, the name of former India captain and current Bengaluru FC assistant coach Renedy Singh also came up during internal discussions, although he did not make the final shortlist. According to an AIFF official, “Renedy was considered for the role of assistant coach, but the committee decided to wait and make that appointment in consultation with the incoming head coach.”
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This move reflects the AIFF’s desire to give the new coach autonomy in shaping the backroom staff — a strategy that aligns with global coaching practices and ensures cohesion within the technical setup.
The Road Ahead for Indian Football
India’s recent performances have been underwhelming, with fans and experts alike questioning the team’s direction and long-term planning. The early exit from the 2025 SAFF Championship and failure to qualify directly for the third round of AFC World Cup qualifiers have exposed structural and tactical issues.
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The incoming coach will inherit a squad in transition — filled with promising talents like Lallianzuala Chhangte, Jeakson Singh, and Vikram Pratap Singh — but short on consistency and killer instinct.
Beyond short-term results, the AIFF is looking for a coach who can build a long-term vision: one that focuses on youth integration, tactical discipline, and an identity that the Indian team can call its own.
Khalid Jamil’s potential appointment could be historic — he would become the first full-time Indian head coach of the senior men’s team in the modern era, signaling a vote of confidence in domestic coaching talent. However, the global exposure and tested credentials of Constantine and Tarkovic present compelling counterpoints.
Final Verdict Expected Soon
With crucial fixtures just around the corner, the AIFF Executive Committee is likely to announce the new head coach within the next week. Whether it chooses the familiarity of Constantine, the international perspective of Tarkovic, or the homegrown expertise of Jamil, one thing is clear — Indian football is at a crossroads.
The next coach will not just be managing players or preparing match tactics; they will be entrusted with steering a nation’s footballing aspirations at a pivotal moment in its journey.
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