Xavi Hernandez Applied To Be India Football Coach: Report

Photo: AFP

It might sound shocking, but Xavi Hernandez, one of the greatest footballers ever, wanted to become the coach of the Indian men’s football team. Many people think this is impossible, but recent news shows that Xavi really showed interest in taking this job. This happened after Manolo Marquez left the job of head coach earlier this month.

Who Is Xavi Hernandez?

Xavi Hernandez is a famous football player from Spain. He played most of his career at Barcelona, where he became a legend. As a player, he was known for his amazing passing, calmness, and intelligence on the field. Many football fans believe he is one of the best midfielders in the history of football.

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After he retired as a player, Xavi started his career as a football coach. He first became the coach of Al-Sadd, a football club in Qatar. During his time there, he won seven trophies in less than 100 matches, which is a very big achievement for any new coach. Later, he became the head coach of Barcelona, his old club. Even though Barcelona was going through a difficult time, Xavi helped the team win domestic titles and started building a strong team for the future.

How Did Xavi Apply For India’s Coach Job?

According to a report in the Times of India, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) got a big surprise when they were checking applications for the new coach. They saw the name of Xavi Hernandez among the list of people who applied. Members of the AIFF’s technical committee were shocked and happy to see such a big name interested in coaching India’s national football team.

The position of head coach is vacant right now after Manolo Marquez left his job earlier this month. AIFF is looking for a new coach at a time when Indian football is facing many problems. There are questions about the future of the Indian Super League, and fans are worried about the performance of the national team.

Confirmation From AIFF Team Director

Subrata Paul, who is the team director of AIFF, confirmed this news. He said, “It’s correct that Xavi’s name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF.” This shows that it was not just a rumour but a true fact that Xavi applied for the job officially.

Why Didn’t AIFF Consider Xavi For The Job?

Even though everyone was happy to see Xavi’s name, the AIFF did not move forward with his application. The main reason behind this was money problems. Hiring someone like Xavi would cost a lot of money because he is a world-class coach with a big reputation. AIFF felt that they might not be able to pay him such a huge salary, and it would not be practical for Indian football at this stage.

Many fans would have loved to see Xavi as India’s coach because he has so much experience and knowledge of football. It could have helped Indian football grow and become better in the future. But AIFF had to think practically about their financial situation.

Who Are The Other Candidates For The Job?

Right now, the search for India’s new football coach is still going on. According to reports, the shortlisted candidates include:

• Stephen Constantine: He was the head coach of India earlier and knows Indian football very well. Under him, India qualified for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup after eight years.

• Khalid Jamil: He is an Indian coach who made history by becoming the first Indian to manage an Indian Super League (ISL) team full-time. He is known for his knowledge of Indian football and his experience with Indian players.

What Does This Mean For Indian Football?

The news of Xavi applying for the coach job shows that famous football personalities are now noticing Indian football. Even though AIFF did not select him, the fact that he showed interest is a very positive thing for football in India. It shows that Indian football is growing slowly and is getting attention from big names in the world of football.

However, some experts think that AIFF should have at least talked to Xavi to know what his plans were and how he wanted to take Indian football forward. But they chose to go with more practical options for now.

Future Of Indian Football

Right now, Indian football is in a rebuilding stage. The team is trying to perform better in Asia and qualify for big tournaments like the AFC Asian Cup and the FIFA World Cup in the future. The choice of a good head coach is very important because he will train the players, make strategies, and guide them in every match.

If a coach like Xavi had come to India, it could have changed the way Indian players think and play. His European style of coaching, discipline, and tactical knowledge could have helped young Indian players learn more and become better.

A Missed Opportunity Or A Wise Decision?

In the end, it is not clear whether AIFF made the right decision by not going forward with Xavi’s application. On one side, he is a world-class coach with great experience, and on the other side, his salary and demands could have been too much for AIFF to manage right now.

But this story will always remain special because a legend like Xavi Hernandez once applied to coach India’s national football team. This news has added a surprising twist to Indian football’s journey and has given hope to many fans that Indian football is becoming popular in the world.