India’s football head coach: What makes Khalid Jamil lead in front of Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic? | Mint

The Indian men’s soccer team will have a new head coach when the Executive Committee of All India Football Federation (AIFF) almost meets on Friday. After the departure of Manolo Marquez, the AIFF invited applications for the post. The governing body of Indian football in the country has submitted Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic under the 170 names. Jamil is currently working on Jamshedpur FC in the ongoing Durand Cup, while Constantine is a former India head coach. Tarkovic, who was a national team coach, has no ties with Indian football. Among the three, however, Jamil looks the forerunner for the best lane. A former player, Tarkovic, was at the helm of his native Slovakia and Kyrgyz – a criteria that, according to the AIFF advertisement, is preferred. However, Tarkovic lacks a lack of knowledge about Indian football from the struggle with the work. Tarkovic’s last assignment was with Kyrgyzaia that ended in June 2024. Why is it unlikely that Stephen Constantine would get the third term? The 62-year-old Constantine was at the helm of the Indian football team at the front of previously 2002 to 2005 and 2015 to 2019. It was under Constantine, India achieved their highest Fifa ranking of 97 of 173 and also qualified for the AFC Asian Cup in the 2022-23 Indian Super League in 2019, did not keep him in Good Sthead. After his departure from East Bengals, Constantine took the lead in the national football team of Pakistan in 2023. Constantine’s only victory as a Pakistan coach was against Cambodia in a Fifa World Cup qualifyer. What works in Khalid Jamil’s favor? The main advantage of Jamil is his Indian citizenship and would cost less than Constantine and Tarkovic. Although Jamil does not have much international experience, but his recent records of the leadership of Jamshedpur FC to an ISL semi -finals and the Super Cup final last season will be considered. If selected, Jamil becomes the first Indian coach for the Men’s National Team after 13 years since Savio Medeira (October 2011 to March 2012).