The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Indian football team. This decision is considered a historic turning point for Indian football, as it marks the first time in the last 13 years that an Indian has been entrusted with the command of the national team.
Team India New Coach: Taking a significant step towards giving a new direction to Indian football, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Indian men's national football team. After 13 years, an Indian has been given this prestigious position, giving new recognition to domestic coaching talent in the country.
AIFF Makes Official Announcement
The AIFF's executive committee announced Khalid Jamil's appointment through a press release on Friday. Jamil was chosen from a shortlist of three final candidates, which included former India coach Stephen Constantine and former Slovakia coach Stefan Tarkovic. The AIFF's technical committee, chaired by Indian football legend IM Vijayan, recommended these three names to the executive committee. The committee considered Khalid Jamil suitable, taking into account his domestic experience, understanding of Indian players, and recent coaching record.
Who is Khalid Jamil?
- Age: 48 years
- Current Role: Manager, Jamshedpur FC (Indian Super League)
- Former Player: Midfielder for the Indian National Team
- Key achievement in coaching career:
- Led Aizawl FC to the I-League title in 2017 — the first major national league win for a Northeast club
- Became the first Indian coach to take an ISL club (NorthEast United) to the playoffs
Jamil Will Replace Manolo Marquez
Khalid Jamil will replace Spanish coach Manolo Marquez, who left his post in July 2025 after India's recent failures. India's performance in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers and the Intercontinental Cup was mediocre, necessitating a change. Prior to Khalid Jamil, Savio Madeira was the last Indian coach to lead the team from 2011 to 2012. Since then, India has relied on several foreign coaches, but now the AIFF has taken the initiative to give importance to domestic coaching talent.
Jamil's first test as coach will be the CAFA (Central Asian Football Association) Nations Cup, which will be held in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan from August 29. This tournament will be an opportunity for India to reorganize the team and boost the players' confidence.
Reactions from AIFF and the Football Community
AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey described Khalid's appointment as a historic and visionary decision for Indian football. He said, "Khalid Jamil's coaching philosophy, his rapport with Indian players, and his understanding of domestic football make him the most suitable for this role."
Former national captain Sunil Chhetri, who is probably in the final stages of his career, also congratulated Jamil, saying, "It is a matter of pride that a coach like Khalid has been given the responsibility of the national team. I am sure the young players will learn a lot from him."
