"The only good thing they can do for Indian football is to leave" - Former India head coach Igor Stimac launches fresh dig at AIFF
The war of words between former Indian head coach Igor Stimac and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has been simmering since Stimac was dismissed last month. This exchange has led to Stimac making some shocking accusations against the federation, while the AIFF has mounted its own defense.
Amid this drama, Stimac has once again publicly spoken about Indian football, taking aim at the AIFF. He has consistently claimed that the federation “doesn’t know how to run” football in India and has warned Indian supporters and the incoming head coach about what to expect.
Speaking on the Chakde Football podcast, the Croatian tactician addressed the challenges the new head coach will face.
"The challenges are huge and you can’t confirm anything in terms of what will happen. With such people running the federation, no one can be successful. They don’t care about the success of the national team, the underage group, or the development. The purpose of them being there is their private interest. It’s clear to everyone that they are there for themselves and not for Indian football," Stimac said.
Stimac also believes that Indian football will only progress if the AIFF hires a fresh committee, restructures from top to bottom, and focuses on development.
"The only good thing they can do for Indian football is to leave. They have to let someone else come and take good care of Indian football. That’s the only truth coming out of the work I did with them because that’s not the way to run the football house," Stimac added.
However, the 56-year-old, who has indeed overseen a new era of young footballers taking center stage with the national team, also expressed optimism about the potential of India’s players.
"It’s a whole new team and a team capable of playing vertical and high pressing football if they are given enough time to prepare. But nothing good will come from the intensity the players are used to in the ISL. The next coach needs a lot of time to work on things to bring the intensity level to the standard of international football," the Croatian stated.
"AIFF at the moment is all about internal fights" - Igor Stimac
The accusations Stimac leveled against AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey certainly caused a stir. After his dismissal, the Croatian coach held a virtual press conference, revealing that he and Chaubey never had any relationship.
In response, the AIFF issued a statement suggesting that Stimac and Chaubey had indeed met five times during his tenure as head coach.
However, Stimac has now claimed that the president never made time for him, even recounting an incident where he accused Chaubey of being present only to take pictures with FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development Arsene Wenger.
"We were there in the same hotel in Doha when the draw of the Asian Cup happened. In three days, being in the same hotel with the coach, he didn’t find a convenient time to call and sit down with me to discuss. He was chasing Arsene Wenger to take photos with him," Stimac said.
"So what kind of meeting he’s talking about? It’s ridiculous. AIFF at the moment is all about internal fights, hiring and firing people for no reasons. It’s not about football," he added.
The end of Stimac’s tenure has cast a poor light on Indian football. After lackluster results on the pitch, including their elimination from the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, controversies continue to cloud the AIFF and Indian football off the pitch as well. The next steps will certainly be crucial, as the federation is reportedly set to appoint a new head coach by the end of July.