AIFF parts ways with Igor Stimac
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has parted ways with Indian national football team head coach Igor Stimac. The national football body announced the news on their social media handles on Monday, June 17.
On X, the Indian Football Team handle account posted:
"AIFF terminates the services of Head Coach Igor Stimac!"
Igor Stimac was sitting comfortably on the 'hot' seat of the national team until the last few months where the side's performance was below par.
Igor Stimac joined the Indian football team way back in 2019, after Stephen Constantine parted ways with the Blue Tigers. In the quest to achieve qualification to the FIFA World Cup, which to date is a dream yet to turn to reality, the federation had appointed the former World Cup bronze medalist with Croatia, a remarkable defender during his playing days - Igor Stimac.
Although Stimac joined the camp in 2019, the toothing stages of his tenure didn't resonate his stature. There were mixed results coming in the national team's way. However, in 2022, when Stimac finally was able to assemble his best-ever squad, he tasted continued success. Starting from the Asian Cup Qualifiers in June 2022, the Indian team turned into a war-horse, thrashing every obstacle coming in their way.
In 2023, Stimac's Blue Tigers won the Intercontinental Cup and the SAFF Championship on consecutive occasions. The first major obstacle coming during this time was the King's Cup, where India lost out to the opponents. The Asian Games came next where India fielded an U-23 side along with three senior players in the squad.
In November, the national team came back to winning ways when they defeated Kuwait in an away match in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Later on, they showcased a tremendous effort against a tough Qatar side but eventually couldn't establish the herculean feat.
Tensions start to grow in 2024
Things became really difficult for Igor Stimac and the national team post the AFC Asian Cup in January this year. India failed to secure a single point and also a single goal. Next up, during the March qualifiers, India succumbed to a shock defeat against Afghanistan, a team ranked quite below India in the FIFA rankings.
The June qualifiers became extremely crucial for India to keep their World Cup dreams alive. But again, India failed to secure a win and had to settle for a draw against Kuwait and suffered an allegedly controversial defeat to Qatar.