Igor Stimac stays: AIFF extends contract of Indian football men’s team coach till 2026

Igor Stimac took charge of the Indian men’s national team in 2019 and has won four major titles with the side so far, including two SAFF Championships.

India, with Stimac as head coach, recently defended its SAFF Championship, winning its third silverware in a calendar year - the most by a men’s team coach. | Photo Credit: The Hindu / Murali Kumar K

 The All India Football Federation (AIFF) announced the contract extension of Igor Stimac, the head coach of India’s men’s national football team, until 2026, on Thursday.

“Our executive committee and federation have decided to extend the contract of Igor Stimac (as) head coach for two more years, until June 2026,” Shaji Prabhakaran, the General Secretary of the AIFF, told reporters in a virtual interaction on Thursday.

“At the same time, if we are able to qualify for the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, then an automatic extension of another two years (will be given to Stimac).”

Mahesh Gawli, a former India international and the assistant coach with the men’s senior team was also appointed as the head coach of the under-23 men’s team.

He played a pivotal role off-the-field in the SAFF Championships 2023 final as India defended the crown, with Stimac suspended for most of the tournament. 

Indian Football team head Coach Igor Stimac, during training ahead of SAFF Championship 2023 football match between India and Lebanon, in Bengaluru on June 30, 2023. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K / The Hindu

“I wanted to make sure that he got a long-term contract with the AIFF because I have full trust in his work, loyalty to the football family here and his qualities as a head coach,” Stimac said.

Stimac, a member of the Croatia side, which finished third at the FIFA World Cup 1998, took charge of the Blue Tigers in 2019 and has won four major titles with the side, including two SAFF Championships.

Indian football missed an Asian Games medal

He was the coach of the Indian football team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, which reached the round of 16 of the tournament after 13 years, where it was knocked out by Saudi Arabia in a 0-2 loss.

“I was proud to be there as a coach. But I was also sorry because, with a full-strength squad, we could have got a medal there,” Stimac said.

The Indian men’s team underwent several changes in the Asian Games squad after Indian Super League (ISL) clubs refused to release their players, forcing the federation to send a second-string side to Hangzhou, China.

“Whatever I know about football, we missed a good chance (of a podium finish there). Let’s make sure we don’t miss such chances,” Stimac said.

Sunil Chhetri, Sandesh Jhingan and Chinglensana Singh were the three senior players in the Asian Games squad, while 10 players from AIFF’s original squad (announced on August 1) were replaced in the final team that travelled to China.

“When we spend four or four-and-half developing a great squad, which has been getting ready since 2015, then it is really sad that we do not allow them to compete, at their full strength, in the tournaments surrounding us,” he added.

Realising the World Cup dream

Stimac, who has honed Champions League-winning stars such as Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic while in charge of the Croatian national team, has won three trophies with the Blue Tigers in 2023 – the most by an India men’s team coach in this millennium.

Last year, India also qualified for consecutive editions of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time. But Stimac said that he wanted Indian football to dream more – to earn a spot in the FIFA World Cup.

“What would I like to change?... I would like to take India to the FIFA World Cup. I have that dream, and I will do everything in my power to take us there,” he said.

However, he added that though his demands (regarding the national team) were not met entirely in the current scenario, he is ready to work with the middle-ground found with all stakeholders.

“I wanted AIFF to trust my process, which they did. I recommended what needs to be done (this season), which was not possible, about the preparation and duration of the national camp,” Stimac said.

Indian Football team head Coach Igor Stimac with captain Sunil Chhetri, during the training session ahead of the SAFF Championship 2023 football match between Nepal and India, in Bengaluru on June 23, 2023. | Photo Credit: MURALI KUMAR K / The Hindu

“I fully understand that, but it does not mean that it is impossible to obtain our goals. We are going to get the best of everyone who will be involved in the plan.”

Stimac has been at loggerheads with several stakeholders in the Indian football scenario regarding the release of players for international duty. It was this deadlock that saw changes in the Asian Games squad.

“Why do I ask for more time to work with them (national team players)? Not because I underestimate their work in the clubs. It’s about a different intensity and level of football needed at the international level apart from the ISL which we are watching every day,” he said.

The Indian men’s team will next be in action at the Merdeka Cup next week, while its focus will be more on the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, next month.

“I’m very confident about what needs to be done on the pitch and very realistic. We discussed that over the last few days,” Stimac said.

“If we overcome the difficulties which we are expecting in the November and March FIFA window, where we cannot change many things in regard to the camp duration, we will, definitely, be fine.”