Khalid Jamil, who famously guided the unheralded Aizawl Football Club to the I-League title in 2017, was on Friday named head coach of the Indian national men's football team, becoming the first Indian in 13 years to occupy the coveted post.
The 48-year-old Jamil, a former India international and currently in charge of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC, was selected by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) executive committee from a three-man shortlist.
The other two contenders were former India head coach Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic, who previously managed the Slovakia national team.
The AIFF's Technical Committee, led by legendary striker IM Vijayan, had shortlisted the three candidates for the executive committee's final decision.
Jamil succeeds Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who parted ways with the AIFF last month following India's recent struggles.
The last Indian to serve as head coach of the national men's team was Savio Medeira, who held the position from 2011 to 2012.
"The AIFF ExCo has picked Khalid Jamil as the new head coach but his tenure has not yet been decided. We will do that after discussions with him and among ourselves. We also have to discuss with him his salary," AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey told PTI after the meeting.
"Jamil wanted a three-year tenure. Some ExCo members said it could be one year or two years. But it will be a long-term tenure, may be two or three years, and performance-based," Chaubey said.
The AIFF president also made it clear that Jamil will be a full-time national team head coach and will not be associated with any other club. Jamil's predecessor Manolo had played a dual role during his one year tenure, taking charge of ISL side FC Goa when there was no national team matches.
"Jamil will only be head coach of the national team," Chaubey replied when asked whether Jamil will also play dual role just like Manolo.
Legends, including Vijayan and Shabir Ali, wanted Indian coach
Jamil was considered the frontrunner even before his appointment and he got the support from legends like Vijayan and Ali -- Technical Committee chairperson and vice chairperson respectively -- and former India coach Amrando Colaco who is currently advisor to Chaubey.
The AIFF said Vijayan was in favour of an Indian coach, saying the country had a much higher FIFA ranking with the likes of Sukhwinder Singh and Syed Nayeemuddin as the head coaches.
"He (Vijayan) strongly recommended Khalid Jamil, as he has already been conferred with the AIFF's Men's Coach of the Year Award on two occasions (2023-24 and 2024-25)," the AIFF said in a release.
Colaco and Ali also pitched in for an Indian head coach.
"Colaco and Mr. Ali expressed their views that the AIFF should prioritise selecting an Indian coach for the senior men's national team... during their respective coaching careers, they, too, were once Indian coaches with no national team experience. However, they believe that Indian coaches need to be given a fair chance to prove themselves," the AIFF said.
"Thereafter, the majority of the house accepted the recommendations of the TC."
Former India players and current executive committee members Pinky Bompal Magar, Thongam Tababi Devi and Climax Lawrence also supported giving an opportunity to an Indian coach.
"Suggestions of Stephen Constantine also came in from a few members of the EC. However, after detailed discussions, the house decided in favour of Khalid Jamil.
"The house felt that since India are set to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 later this month, followed by back-to-back AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier matches against Singapore in October, Jamil would be a better option, since he has been working with Indian players on a regular basis."
The AIFF had received 170 applications, which included big names like former Liverpool stars Robbie Fowler and Harry Kewell.
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