AIFF backs homegrown leadership as Jamil poised to take over national team duties
In a landmark move, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has cleared the way for Khalid Jamil to become the full-time head coach of the Indian national football team. If he agrees to the proposed terms within the next 24 to 48 hours, Jamil will be the first Indian to hold the full-time position since Sukhvinder Singh in 2005, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Currently in charge of Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League (ISL), Jamil’s appointment is a significant step toward strengthening Indian representation at the top. Previously, only Armando Colaco and Savio Medeira served as interim coaches after Bob Houghton’s exit in 2011.
The decision followed an executive committee meeting of the AIFF on Friday. “It was felt the federation must give an opportunity to an Indian coach,” the AIFF said, citing Jamil’s familiarity with local players and the tight match calendar ahead—including the CAFA Nations Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers—as reasons for the choice.
With an unmatched domestic resume and the trust of Indian players, Khalid Jamil is on the brink of scripting a new era for Indian football
AIFF technical director Syed Sabir Pasha and national teams director Subrata Paul presented a comparative SWOT analysis of three shortlisted coaches: Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic. A strong recommendation from AIFF technical committee chairperson and Indian football icon IM Vijayan reportedly tipped the scales in Jamil’s favor.
An AFC Pro License holder since 2015, the 48-year-old boasts a coaching career spanning over 200 I-League matches. His clubs include Mumbai FC, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and most famously, Aizawl FC—whom he led to a historic I-League title in 2017. In the ISL, he has guided both NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur FC to the semifinals, earning praise for doing more with less.
Jamil’s teams are known for their defensive discipline and loyalty-driven squad building, often composed of lesser-known names rather than marquee players.
Still, not everyone is convinced. Pradhyum Reddy, technical director at Dempo SC, expressed skepticism: “The question is whether he can manage the egos in the national dressing room.” Others have raised concerns over his lack of international exposure.
Budget constraints may have influenced the decision. According to insiders, the AIFF’s funding is only secured till December 2025, when its marketing deal ends. “At times like these, hiring an experienced Indian coach makes perfect sense,” said a committee member.
Jamil is expected to be offered a two-year contract with an optional one-year extension. Both parties are reportedly not in favor of a club-and-country dual role.
Khalid Jamil’s Resume at a Glance:
- Youngest Indian coach to win the I-League
- Most I-League matches managed by any coach
- First full-time Indian coach in ISL (NorthEast United, Jamshedpur)
- Guided Aizawl FC to the 2017 I-League title
- Reached ISL semifinals with NorthEast United and Jamshedpur FC
- Super Cup finalist with East Bengal (2018) and Jamshedpur (2025)
- Played 15 international matches for India between 1997–2006
Upcoming National Assignments:
CAFA Nations Cup
- Aug 29: Tajikistan vs India
- Sept 1: India vs Iran
- Sept 4: Afghanistan vs India
AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers
- Oct 9: Singapore vs India
- Oct 14: India vs Singapore
- Nov 18: Bangladesh vs India
