Controversy erupts in Indian Football Federation as technical committee member Bhaichung Bhutia resigns
Controversy erupts in Indian Football Federation as technical committee member Bhaichung Bhutia resigns
Just hours after announcing the new head coach of the Indian men’s football team, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has landed in controversy as technical committee member Bhaichung Bhutia resigned on Saturday (July 20). Bhutia, a former India captain was co-opted into the committee after losing the presidential elections to Kalyan Chaubey in 2022. According to him, the technical committee was bypassed while selectingManolo Marquez as the new head coach.
Controversy erupts as Bhaichung Bhutia resigns
"I have been chairman of the AIFF technical committee in the past (2013 to 2017) and involved in coach appointments like in the case of Stephen Constantine. It is the job of the technical committee to shortlist the candidates who have applied and recommend a suitable person to become a coach. But this time, there was not even a single technical committee meeting to appoint a successor to Stimac," Bhutia told PTI.
The legendary player was displeased with how he and other members of the technical committee were ignored in the new coach selection. According to him, the technical committee, of which he was once head, shortlists the names for the selection while the AIFF carries the interviews. However, they were not involved in any decision-making process.
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Earlier on Saturday, the AIFF announced thatMarquez was going to take over as thenew head coachwhile he was still working at the Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa. He has been in India since 2020 and according to AIFF has the necessary vision to take Indian men’s football to the next level.
Marquez brings tons of experience to the table, having also managed Spanish La Liga side Las Palmas in one of his illustrious coaching spells. He has been in India since 2020 having taken charge of Hyderabad FC before leaving for Goa in 2023 bringing his three-year stint to an end.
An agreement was reached between FC Goa and the AIFF before the announcement as he will continue to coach the coastline club at the start of the 2024-25 season before taking charge of the Indian side.
