New Delhi: In a major decision reflecting a shift in Indian football’s coaching philosophy, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Khalid Jamil as the head coach of the senior Indian men’s national team. Jamil’s selection ends a 13-year gap since an Indian last held the position, signalling a renewed confidence in homegrown managerial talent.
The AIFF Executive Committee approved Jamil’s appointment after reviewing a shortlist of three candidates submitted by the Technical Committee. The other contenders included Stephen Constantine, who previously coached India, and Stefan Tarkovic, former Slovakia national team manager. Following a detailed evaluation, Jamil emerged as the preferred choice.
The decision was strongly influenced by leading Indian football figures who advocated for an Indian coach to take charge. During deliberations attended by AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey and other senior officials, coaches Bimal Ghosh and Armando Colaco—both Dronacharya Awardees—alongside Dhyan Chand Awardee Shabbir Ali, underscored the importance of giving Indian coaches a fair opportunity. They noted that despite limited international experience, domestic coaches bring valuable understanding of the local football landscape.
As part of the selection process, AIFF Technical Director Syed Sabir Pasha and National Teams Director Subrata Paul presented a SWOT analysis of all three shortlisted coaches. According to the AIFF’s official statement, the consensus within the committee was shaped by both data and the personal experiences shared by veteran coaches and players.
IM Vijayan, chairperson of the Technical Committee and one of India’s most decorated former players, cited past successes under Indian coaches like Sukhwinder Singh and Syed Nayeemuddin. He praised Jamil’s recent achievements and recommended his appointment, noting that Jamil had been named AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year for two consecutive seasons—2023–24 and 2024–25.
Jamil’s journey through Indian football has been both steady and impressive. Starting as a midfielder, he transitioned into coaching with notable success across the I-League and Indian Super League. His title-winning campaign with Aizawl FC remains one of the league’s most remarkable stories. More recently, his stint with Jamshedpur FC saw him guide the team to the Super Cup semifinals in 2023–24 and a strong runner-up finish in the following ISL season.
His appointment has been widely welcomed as a progressive step toward empowering Indian coaches and fostering self-sufficiency in the national football ecosystem. With a deep understanding of domestic football and a proven track record, Khalid Jamil now faces the task of steering Indian football forward on the international stage.
