3 reasons why Igor Stimac's departure from Indian football was timely
The inevitable has finally happened for the Indian men’s football team, as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) parted ways with head coach Igor Stimac following a string of poor results. The search for a new coach is underway, but for now, it’s a moment to reflect on Stimac’s tenure.
The Croatian, who won the bronze medal with his country in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, took charge of the Blue Tigers in 2019. His experience made him a promising choice, and while he had some successes during his five-year spell, his tenure ultimately ended in disappointment.
Under Stimac, India briefly climbed to 99th in the FIFA Rankings, won four trophies, and enjoyed a 12-game unbeaten streak in 2023. This success provided a sense of hope, but it was fleeting as India finished at the bottom of their group in the AFC Asian Cup and were eliminated from the FIFA World Cup qualifiers despite a favorable draw.
The final nail to the coffin was India’s 0-0 draw with Kuwait and a 2-1 defeat to Qatar, leading to the AIFF deciding it was time to part ways, despite Stimac’s contract running until 2026. While recent results were certainly a primary reason for his departure, there are multiple factors behind the AIFF’s decision. On that note, here are three key reasons why Stimac had to leave Indian football.
#1 No clear sign of progress
Stimac certainly had an immediate impact by steadily integrating several youngsters into the national team. However, results-wise, India remained some distance away from competing against higher-ranked opponents during his five-year tenure.
He took over the national team after they rose to the top 100 FIFA Rankings under Stephen Constantine, but since then, the rankings have stagnated and even regressed, with India currently ranked 122nd at the end of the qualifiers.
Despite signs of progress last year, this year seems to have undone all those efforts. The Blue Tigers have won just once in their last 11 games, scoring only two goals from open play while conceding 13. Their performances against teams like Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Syria - who are similar or lower-ranked than India - were particularly concerning, as they failed to gain control of at any point in the game over the 90 minutes.
While Stimac guided India to the AFC Asian Cup and became the first Indian coach to win back-to-back SAFF Championships, the team has arguably regressed in recent times despite an influx of talent. Given the poor performances in the past six months, it seems like the right time to part ways with the Croatian.
#2 Off-field issues
Potential issues off the field have always been persistent during Igor Stimac’s tenure, and it often seemed that these issues took a toll on the pitch as well.
The head coach has been outspoken about how his requests for longer camps have constantly been turned down. He has also made certain comments that did not help his cause, leading to the AIFF issuing him a show-cause notice to him back in September 2023.
Additionally, Stimac has been vocal about referees’ decisions in press conferences and has received multiple red cards for misconduct on the sidelines, which reflects poorly on both the team and the head coach.
There is also the whole debacle surrounding Stimac’s decision to consult an astrologer to select the starting lineup for the Blue Tigers. More recently, the 56-year-old suggested that he would resign if India failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, expressing confidence that ultimately did not materialize.
Consequently, while India performed reasonably well on the pitch, off-the-pitch issues seemed to have marred the entire team, especially in recent times.
#3 Lack of tactical adaptation
While off-the-pitch issues have been present, Stimac’s poor tactical approach, especially against stronger teams, is a major reason for his departure. India lacked a clear identity over the past year, which was quite evident on the pitch.
Players who excelled in domestic games suddenly seemed like shadows of themselves, their confidence seemingly shattered, as Stimac’s in-game tactical decisions and substitutions were frequently questioned throughout his tenure.
A prime example was India’s two matches against Afghanistan in March. Afghanistan’s coach, Ashley Westwood, had a perfect plan to counter India’s attacking threat and despite having better quality players, the Blue Tigers struggled to create chances. Stimac failed to adapt to Westwood’s approach in both games, resulting in just one point from the two matches.
Ultimately, while the Croatian was a good man-manager, he lacked the tactical acumen to counter better-prepared opponents, which cost him his job.