The All India Football Federation (AIFF) strongly refuted allegations made by former head coach Igor Stimac, calling them a deliberate attempt to tarnish the federation's reputation.
Pointing out the "several acts of contract breach" by the AIFF side in the past, Stimac charged AIFF chief Kalyan Chaubey with "changing my public statement given to AIFF media".
Following a virtual meeting on June 16th, 2024, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced a change in leadership for the Senior Men's National Team.
'The sooner Kalyan Chaubey leaves, the better it is for Indian football'
Head coach Igor Stimac believes it could be a game-changer for Indian football as India take on Kuwait in a crucial World Cup qualifier.
Stimac, whose contract was terminated on Monday, coached India for five years.
Don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves, we're still alive: Stimac
'I'm looking at it as a chance to play international football, to represent India, and to hopefully inspire other players with a similar background to me, to show them that they can come to India and do the same thing.'
'Khalid will have to begin with consistency and with new players and good strikers from U-23 because he has to build for the future.'
Stimac had earlier also said that the results against Kuwait and Qatar in June will be the real indicator of the Indian football team's prospect of making a maiden appearance in the third round of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
India head coach Igor Stimac on Wednesday said his team has a "couple of players" with few injury issues but that will not stop them from going all out in an attempt to secure full points against Uzbekistan in the AFC Asian Cup in Doha on Thursday.
Stimac has prioritised qualification to the third round and secure a direct entry into the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Stimac, a vastly experienced coach and 1998 World Cup bronze medallist for Croatia, interfered when Pakistan player Abdullah Iqbal was ready to make a throw-in. He tried to pull back the ball from the player, sparking wild reactions from some Pakistani players as well as some coaching staff.
The AIFF issued a show-cause notice to senior men's team head coach Igor Stimac for making comments construed as a breach of agreement by his employers.
Defending his actions, Stimac stated that he would not hesitate to do it again in order to protect his players
India eye victory against Afghanistan in push for CAFA Nations Cup play-offs
Only a few players become legends in their playing days and Sunil Chhetri belonged to that rare tribe, India's head coach Igor Stimac said in a glowing tribute to the talismanic skipper, who will hang his boots on June 6.
India football team's coach Igor Stimac has lashed out at the referee for 'robbing' his side of victory in the semi-final of the King's Cup against Iraq.
Assistant coach Mahesh Gawli will have to take his place.
India football team head coach Igor Stimac, on Sunday, lashed out at the Indian Super League (ISL) organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL)
Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac has expressed his displeasure over his wards losing possession of the ball at crucial junctures of a game.
India go down 0-1 to Hong Kong in crucial 2027 Asian Cup Qualifier match
Kalyan Chaubey alluded to lack of goals from the Indian strikers, which he said could be one of the reasons for the poor show by the team under Manolo Marquez.
AIFF opens application process for new men's head coach position after Marquez's exit
'You're paying Rs 42 lakh for one game. Why not link it to qualification? It just shows how clueless the management is.'
India's brilliant 4-0 rout of Pakistan in the SAFF Championship had a slight jarring note to it as head coach Igor Stimac had to vacate the dugout.
Indian football team's head coach Igor Stimac has called upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention to ensure the team's participation at the Asian Games.
'Every game is important, every win is important, especially clean sheets, so I am very happy. But I can tell you that I was not at all happy at half time. We played well in the first 10 minutes, and then we disappeared.'
'I prefer not to speak before the Hong Kong tie,' Marquez told Hindustan Times in a WhatsApp message on Monday.
The squad announcement also marks the return of East Bengal's dependable central defender Anwar Ali, who had been sidelined since February due to a hamstring injury. He last featured in competitive action against Bengaluru FC in the ISL.
'But sometimes the team doesn't know how to draw. And today, if you couldn't win the game before the minute 90-91, at least try to be in a position to avoid the defeat. But I feel that India is still in the fight.'
Talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri will return to the national team during next month's Asian Cup qualifiers
The 51-year-old Stimac, who was part of Croatia's 1998 World Cup squad that finished third in France, was Wednesday officially announced as head coach of the Indian team. He comes with an experience of over 18 years in coaching, structuring, and developing football with players back home and internationally.
The AIFF sacked Stimac in June, terminating his contract exactly a year before it was to expire in the wake of the side's ouster from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers despite getting a relatively easy draw.
Stimac had said he would need at least a four-week camp to do well in the Asian Cup while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass had indicated that his demand would be difficult to meet as the clubs may not agree to release their players for such a long period in the midst of the domestic season.
The 51-year-old, who was part of Croatia's 1998 World Cup squad that finished third in France, comes with an experience of over 18 years in coaching, structuring, and developing football and players back home, and internationally.
All India Football Federation president Kalyan Chaubey said the governing body has been actively working on policies to integrate Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) players into the national team setup.
Spaniard Manolo Marquez is the head coach of ISL team Indian Super League side FC Goa.
Tuesday's match holds importance for India as any slip-up could be disastrous in their bid to make it to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
The 51-year-old was a member of the Croatian team that finished third in the 1998 World Cup.
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