Jamil appointed Indian team's head coach
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Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
From underdog to the top: How Khalid Jamil became the first Indian in 13 years to coach the national football team
Agencies Khalid Jamil will become first Indian full-time coach of Blue Tigers since Sukhvinder Singh in 2005 Khalid Jamil, one of Indian football's most compelling managerial figures, has been appointed head coach of the Indian men's national team — becoming the first Indian to hold the position in over a decade. His appointment, confirmed by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Friday, marks a pivotal shift in the federation's approach after years of foreign hires failed to lift the national side to greater heights. The last Indian to serve as national coach was Savio Medeira, whose brief stint ended in 2012. Since then, the AIFF has turned repeatedly to overseas names, hoping to inject technical flair and tactical discipline into the side — with mixed results. Jamil's appointment, therefore, is not just a nod to his impressive domestic record but a significant vote of confidence in homegrown coaching. The 48-year-old Jamil was chosen from a shortlist that included former India coach Stephen Constantine and Slovakian manager Stefan Tarkovic. The selection was finalised by the AIFF's Technical Committee, chaired by former India goalkeeper Subrata Pal, and ratified by the Executive Committee on August 1. Jamil replaces Spaniard Manolo Marquez, whose tenure saw little success and ended last month. With India languishing in form and identity, Jamil steps into one of the most scrutinised jobs in Indian sport. But if there's anyone who thrives under pressure, it's Khalid may not have coached internationally, but few Indian managers command the kind of grassroots respect he does. A former India international himself, Jamil first made headlines as coach of Aizawl FC, the modest club from Mizoram that scripted one of Indian football's greatest underdog the 2016–17 I-League season, Jamil led Aizawl — who had narrowly avoided relegation the previous year — to an astonishing title triumph, outpacing the likes of Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The fairy-tale run earned comparisons to Leicester City's Premier League win and etched Aizawl's name in Indian football history as the first team from the Northeast to win a national achievement stood in stark contrast to the fate of Mumbai FC, Jamil's former club, who were relegated that same season and eventually in Kuwait, Jamil has lived and breathed Indian football across decades. He won the National Football League (India's top division at the time) as a player with Mahindra United in 2005 and later lifted the I-League trophy as a coach with Aizawl — a rare double in Indian football began his coaching journey in 2009 with Mumbai FC, where he operated on shoestring budgets but consistently kept the club in the top flight. Over the years, he has taken the helm at several clubs — East Bengal, NorthEast United, and most recently, Jamshedpur FC — all while building a reputation for tactical pragmatism, emotional intelligence, and an ability to extract the best from limited most recent success came with Jamshedpur FC. Taking over midway through the 2023–24 season, Jamil led the side to the ISL semifinals, a Super Cup final appearance, and earned an unbeaten start to the ongoing Durand Cup. That run secured him a two-year contract extension — a rare show of faith in an Indian manager in the ISL critics may point to his lack of international experience, Jamil's domestic credentials are difficult to ignore. He holds an AFC Pro Licence and has managed teams across all rungs of Indian football — from I-League 2 to the Indian Super Indian football now at an inflection point, struggling to regain its footing on the Asian stage, the AIFF's decision to back a homegrown tactician signals a possible philosophical shift — one that values continuity, cultural familiarity, and a deeper connection to the domestic footballing Jamil, the challenge is clear: rebuild belief in the national setup and craft a team that can compete with the continent's best. For Indian football, the message is louder — the future may just lie in trusting its own.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Khalid Jamil Becomes First Full-Time Indian Head Coach Of National Football Team Since 2005
Last Updated: The AIFF picked Jamil to helm the Blue Tigers due to his familiarity with the players and the setup ahead of crucial upcoming tournaments. Khalid Jamil is all set to script a new chapter in Indian football history, taking the reins as head coach of the national team—a move both bold and steeped in promise for fans across the country. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has paved the way for Jamil, currently mentoring Jamshedpur FC, to become the first Indian to hold the position full-time since Sukhvinder Singh in 2005. In true drama befitting Indian football, the offer is on Jamil's table, with a decision expected in just 24 to 48 hours. Once formalized, it signals a rare vote of confidence in homegrown coaching talent, after years of foreign stewardship and only brief interim stints by Indians like Armando Colaco and Savio Medeira. Jamil's appointment is more than a personnel shuffle. 'It was felt the federation must give an opportunity to an Indian coach," the AIFF declared after its executive committee meeting. Especially with India gearing up for the CAFA Nations Cup later this August and a crucial double-header Asian Cup qualifying clash against Singapore looming in October, the consensus was that Jamil's hands-on familiarity with Indian footballers gave him an edge. 'Jamil would be a better option, since he has been working with Indian players on a regular basis," the federation stated. Jamil's track record is the stuff of underdog legend. He holds an AFC pro coaching license since 2015, has managed more than 200 I-League matches, and masterminded Aizawl FC's fairytale I-League title in 2017, edging out giants like Mohun Bagan. In the ISL, he guided NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur, both budget-conscious squads, straight into the semifinals. But every story has its doubters. 'At Mohun Bagan and East Bengal… he was never really successful. The question is whether he can manage the egos (in the national team dressing room) or get rid of the egos," wondered Dempo's technical director Pradhyum Reddy. Others voiced concerns about Jamil's limited international exposure: 'From a technical point of view, it's not the best appointment," Reddy added. Still, circumstances and sentiment might be on Jamil's side, with the AIFF's finances reportedly stretched and a domestic touch deemed prudent. 'At times like these, hiring an experienced Indian coach makes perfect sense," summed up an AIFF member. Indian football fans, mark your calendars: Jamil's India faces Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4 in the CAFA Nations Cup, followed by Asian Cup qualifier showdowns with Singapore and Bangladesh. The nation now waits—can 'Khalid bhai" turn familiar grit into continental glory? view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Khalid Jamil, India's new coach
Khalid Jamil PANAJI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has cleared the path for Khalid Jamil to take over as coach of the national football team. Should Jamil — currently coaching Jamshedpur FC — agree to the terms offered by the AIFF in the next 24 to 48 hours, he will become the first Indian as full-time coach since Sukhvinder Singh in 2005. Two other Indians, Armando Colaco and Savio Medeira, held interim charges, following the sacking of Bob Houghton in 2011. 'It was felt the federation must give an opportunity to an Indian coach,' the AIFF said after its executive committee meeting on Friday. 'The members felt that since India are set to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup this month, followed by back-toback AFC Asian Cup final round qualifiers (against Singapore in October), Jamil would be a better option, since he has been working with Indian players on a regular basis. ' AIFF technical director Syed Sabir Pasha and national teams director Subrata Paul presented a SWOT analysis of all the three shortlisted coaches – Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic. While the mood was in favour of an Indian coach, a 'strong recommendation' from technical committee chairperson and former India captain IM Vijayan helped members decide. In its presentation, AIFF said Jamil's playing style is easy for the players to adapt, and that he is 'known to create teams that are hard to score against.' An AFC pro coaching license holder since 2015, the 48-yearold has managed over 200 games in the I-League with stints at clubs like Mumbai FC, Aizawl FC – with whom he scripted a fairytale I-League triumph – East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. In the Indian Super League (ISL), now the top-tier league, he has guided NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur to the semifinals, despite being teams with much lower budgets. Jamil's teams are known to be disciplined and well drilled. It's no secret either that he likes to work with a core group of players who he has trusted through his career, none of them big names or superstars. 'At Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, two of the biggest clubs Khalid has managed, he was never really successful,' said Pradhyum Reddy, Dempo's technical director who has formerly coached in both I-League and ISL. 'The question is whether he can manage the egos (in the national team dressing room) or get rid of the egos.' Others feel Jamil's lack of experience with international football can prove to be challenging. 'Khalid was the best option among the three coaches who were shortlisted. But purely from a technical point of view, it's not the best appointment,' said Reddy. Many feel the AIFF were left with no choice than make a domestic coach appointment due to the precarious state of its finances. The budgets, according to sources, have been approved only till December, when the 15-year agreement with its marketing partners comes to an end. 'Without an assured annual payment of Rs 50 crore (from the marketing partners), AIFF will be left with nothing. At times like these, hiring an experienced Indian coach makes perfect sense,' said one member. AIFF sources said the plan is to offer Jamil a two-year contract with a one-year extension clause. Neither party is in favour of a dual club-andcountry role. THE RESUME ● Youngest Indian coach to win the I-League. ● Most number of matches in I-League by any coach. ● First full-time Indian coach in ISL, with NorthEast United and now Jamshedpur. ● Guided Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title in 2017, finishing a point ahead of Mohun Bagan. ● Reached ISL semifinals with NorthEast and Jamshedpur. Super Cup finalist with East Bengal (2018) and Jamshedpur (2025). ● Made his national team debut in 1997 in a SAFF Cup match against Bangladesh in Kathmandu. ● Played 15 matches for India till his retirement in 2006 due to injuries. ASSIGNMENTS IN 2025 CAFA Nations Cup Aug 29: Tajikistan vs India Sept 1: India vs Iran Sept 4: Afghanistan vs India AFC Asian Cup qualifiers Oct 9: Singapore vs India Oct 14: India vs Singapore Nov 18: Bangladesh vs India Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
