Who are the potential candidates in the reckoning to become next head coach of Indian football team?

With positive results hard to come by and having incurred losses against teams like Afghanistan and Thailand, Indian football is going through a torrid patch lately. The misery has worsened as following the defeat against Hong Kong in the AFC Asian Cup, head coach Manolo Marquez also resigned. Marquez’s departure has left a huge void, and applications to fill the manager’s position are now open.

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Who is in the reckoning to become the next head coach of the Indian Football team?

As Indian Football is in dire need of an individual who can transform the entire setup and make the Blue Tigers formidable competitors again, it will be intriguing to see who the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will next put faith in.

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Since the position is open, various names are making waves and could be in the mix. Speculations highlighted that former coach Stephen Constantine could be brought back as the head coach. However, a new report has been dropped which brings to light four names who are seemingly in the reckoning.

As reported by Sangbad Pratidin, one among the following coaches is rumoured to take over as the next Indian Football men’s national team head coach: Sanjoy Sen, Khalid Jamil, Ashley Westwood, Park Hang-seo, or Sergio Lobera.

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A brief on the contenders

Sanjoy Sen is a well-known Indian football coach and former player. He has been associated with several prominent Indian football clubs, including Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. Sen has also had stints as the coach of the Indian national team and has been involved in various football development programs in the country.

Khalid Jamil is an Indian professional football manager and former player, currently serving as the head coach of Indian Super League club Jamshedpur FC. Jamil had a notable playing career with clubs like Mahindra United, Air India, and Mumbai.

Ashley Westwood is a seasoned English football coach with over 25 years of experience in the sport. He holds both UEFA Pro and AFC Pro licenses, making him a highly qualified coach.

Park Hang-seo is a renowned South Korean football manager and former player, born on October 1, 1957. He’s best known for leading the Vietnam national team to significant victories, including the 2018 AFF Championship and two consecutive SEA Games gold medals in 2019 and 2021.

Sergio Lobera is a Spanish professional football manager. He has managed several clubs.