Khalid Jamil Appointed as New Head Coach of India's National Football Team
AIFF Names Khalid Jamil as Head Coach
New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially appointed Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men's National Team, following a period of controversy surrounding the selection process. Jamil, aged 48, takes over from Manolo Marquez, who left the national team in July. The AIFF's technical committee, which included former India head coach Stephen Constantine and ex-Slovakia coach Stefan Tarkovic, shortlisted three candidates for the role. The AIFF announced the decision via a social media update, stating, 'The AIFF Executive Committee, in the presence of the Technical Committee, has approved the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Senior India Men's National Team.'
Khalid Jamil's Background
Khalid Jamil, a former midfielder for the Indian national team, has a rich history in Indian football, having progressed through various leagues including the I-League and the Indian Super League (ISL). His most notable achievement was leading Aizawl FC to their first-ever I-League title in 2017. Jamil made history as the first Indian head coach in the ISL, successfully guiding Northeast United FC to the playoffs during the 2020-21 season. He also took charge of Jamshedpur FC midway through the 2023-24 season, leading them to the Super Cup semifinals and a runner-up finish in the ISL the following season.
Born in Kuwait, Jamil holds an AFC Pro License and is the first Indian to manage the national team since Savio Medeira in 2012. He is also the first Indian to take full-time control of the national team since Sukhwinder Singh over two decades ago. Reports indicate that Jamil had garnered interest from ISL clubs, including Kerala Blasters, but those negotiations did not come to fruition as the new season remains uncertain.
Upcoming Challenges for Jamil
Khalid Jamil's first major challenge will be leading India in the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup, especially after Malaysia withdrew from the tournament. This event, which is outside FIFA's official calendar, will serve as an important preparation for India's AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers against Singapore in October. India is placed in Group B and will kick off their campaign against the host nation Tajikistan on August 29, followed by a match against defending champions Iran on September 1, and concluding the group stage against Afghanistan on September 4.
The Indian team is looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance in the final round of Asian Cup Qualifying, where they managed a 0-0 draw against Bangladesh and suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Hong Kong in their second match.