Michael Nobbs leaves for Australia, ends two-year stint as India coach

Former Indian men’s hockey coach Michael Nobbs today left for Australia, thus ending his two-year coaching stint in India.

The Aussie, who donned the national colours at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, stepped down on healthy grounds after India’s disappointing FIH Hockey World League Round 3 event in Rotterdam in June, where they finished sixth.

Nobbs took charge of the national team in June 2011 after Spainish Jose Brasa coached the Indians until the end of 2010.

The Aussies’ lowest point will be the wooden spoon finish in the 2012 London Olympics, when there were strong calls for his ouster, but he survived the axe and the move seemed to be a justified one as the Indians put on a much improved showing in the 34th Champions Trophy in Melbourne finishing fourth – in fact India’s entry in the semi-finals was only their second last-four appearance.

The team maintained its momentum, settling for the runners-up spot in the 2012 Asian Champions Trophy in Doha, but not before taking the summit clash against arch-rivals Pakistan right down to the wire, losing 4-5 in a match marred by poor umpiring.

Among Nobbs’ other highs as the national coach, the team under him had won the inaugural Asian Champions Trophy where goalkeeper PR Sreejesh pulled off a heroic act to seal the fate of Pakistan in a penalty shootout.

The Blue shirts also landed a bronze at the 2012 Sultan Azlan Shah Cup, where India pipped England for a podium finish.

Nobbs coached India in 81 matches – under him the national team won 38 games, lost 32 and drew 11.

His last match as India coach was the 5th-6th place play-off tie in the HWL event in Rotterdam where India lost to Spain 2-4 in a penalty shootout.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), under whose payroll Nobbs was, has been unhappy with his performance and Hockey India is believed to be on the same page.

His resignation came as a bit of a face-saver for him – his health concerns came at a time when SAI and Hockey India were not happy with his performance.

Hockey lovers have a diverse opinion about him. Many feel that Nobbs should be held squarely responsible for the mess the Indian team is in now, but then there are others who believe it is unfair to only single him out the Australian for the national team’s fortunes and that the team have moved forward in some areas.