"It was the need of the hour" - Indian goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya on sacking of head coach Igor Stimac
Taking a resolute stand, which is often a rarity for those within the system of Indian football, veteran Indian goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya, via an Instagram post on Thursday, expressed his support for the AIFF's decision to sack Indian men's team head coach Igor Stimac.
Endorsing the decision as "the need of the hour," the 35-year-old lambasted the Croatian tactician for his "team selection, followed by excuses for poor results."
"As an Indian footballer who has played for nearly 2 decades and played under some exceptional coaches; moreover, as an Indian football fan, I am happy to see that finally, things seem to be moving in the right direction, or at least it's a start. The sacking of the current head coach is not a statement, it was the need of the hour," he asserted.
Furthermore, Bhattacharya opined that Stimac's removal should've been executed much earlier.
"The team selection, followed by excuses for poor results is frustrating for players and fans both. What should have been done a while ago has finally been done now. Better late than never I suppose."
After failing to qualify for the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifications and the pedestrian performance in the AFC Asian Cup earlier in the year, the federation decided to terminate Stimac's contract on June 16.
Arindam Bhattacharya lists out his choices to replace Igor Stimac as India's head coach
The Inter Kashi shot-stopper emphasized the critical task ahead for the stakeholders, "the job to appoint a new and capable coach."
Discussions have already been raging regarding the ideal candidate who could emerge as the next head coach of the Blue Tigers. Arindam Bhattacharya weighed in on the same, saying:
"It should be someone who knows and understands Indian football, someone who has got fantastic results time and again at club level. A coach with a strong personality and character who isn't influenced by a single player or his past achievements alone, someone like Mr. Antonio Lopez Habas, Sergio Lobera or Mr. Manolo Marquez for example."
Before concluding, he reiterated that supporters of the Blue Tigers can sleep peacefully, considering a resounding step had been taken in the right direction.
"But I'm just one person. There are probably countless other frustrated Indian football fans who probably feel the same and we can finally sleep peacefully, knowing we have taken a step in the right direction," he added.
This emphatic statement by Arindam Bhattacharya comes as a bit of a surprise but it is a testament to how fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating a new dawn for Indian football.