Amelia Valverde Villalobos, head coach of India looks on during the Women’s Asia Cup Australia 2026 match between Vietnam and India at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on March 4, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images) New Delhi: Thomas Dennerby stepped down as head coach of the Indian women’s team after qualifying for the Paris Olympics, ending a two-year tenure from 2021 to 2023. A revolving door followed: Langam Chaoba Devi (Jan–Sep 2024), Santosh Kashyap (Sep 2024–Jan 2024) and C2hepinJ552 2026). Temporary stinks for Suren Chhetri and Joakim Alexandersson also underscored the instability.Last year, despite leading India to their first AFC Women’s Asia Cup qualification, in 23 years, Crispin was dropped after 23 years and Amelia Valverde was inducted by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
Watch
EXCLUSIVE: Where did it go wrong for India in the Women’s Asia Cup? Aditi Chauhan decodes In the continental competition in Australia, India lost all three of their matches: 1-2 against Vietnam, 0-11 against Japan and in desperate need of a win, 1-3 against Chinese Taipei.As a result, a lot of soul searching began. As with most football introspections, it started with the ax falling on coach Valverde.The AIFF technical commission recommended not to renew Valverde’s contract. Instead, they recommended looking at Indian options – Anthony Andrews (of East Bengal) and former coach Crispin Chhetri – as the two main contenders.TimesofIndia.com has learned that a meeting is imminent and Crispin is expected to get the nod in the short term.
After the team played and failed to qualify for the next stage, questions need to be asked and answers sought from those responsible for the series of mistakes involving the team as it caused huge embarrassment in the country.
Valanka Alemao | Member of AIFF Executive Committee and Women’s Football Committee
However, if providing continuity to the coaches was paramount, the AIFF failed to deliver. The technical committee must also be asked questions about their decision-making with these solutions.Costa Rican Valverde came with an impressive resume and experience in both country and club. However, it is a method of appointment that did not sit well with most, including the players. She had a full six weeks to bond with the players and implement her system.A member of the technical committee felt that six weeks was enough time for Valverde to make a change, especially considering her credentials. But a constant change in strategy and a demoralizing loss to Japan proved crucial in their decision not to go ahead with it.
Two days before the first match, the players had to provide bizarre shocks. Questions must be raised and those responsible for such mistakes that have brought shame to the nation must be taken to task.
Valanka Alemao
Amidst off-field issues such as an erratic domestic league and haphazardly arranged friendlies, it felt more like a hopeful point than a deliberate decision. This did not materialize as you at AIFF expected.“After the team played and failed to qualify for the next stage, questions need to be asked and answers sought from those responsible for the series of blunders involving the team as it has caused huge embarrassment to the country,” AIFF executive committee member and women’s football committee member Valanka Alemao wrote in an email to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.“The technical committee approved the appointment without calling for the preparation or publication of any list of potential candidates, as was done in the selection of the coach for the women’s team without any knowledge of the executive committee. “Where was the need to bring someone so close to the tournament and what was the cost of paying all three,” Valanka asked.
Vote
Do you think the AIFF’s decision not to renew Amelia Valverde’s contract was justified?
Another controversy arose just before the start of the tournament when the wrong size kits were supplied to the team and coaching staff. A last ditch effort was made and kits were arranged through a local dealer. The AIFF has launched an investigation into the fiasco.“Two days before the first match, the players had to ensure bizarre shocks. Questions must be raised and those who are behind such shenanigans, which brought shame to the nation, must be taken into account,” added Valanka.Strangely, East Bengal’s Anthony Andrews didn’t get the job despite having a strong CV. AFC ‘A’ licensee Andrews led Gokulam Kerala to back-to-back Indian Women’s League (IWL) titles and East Bengal won the title under him last season. He was considered as an option following Dennerby’s departure in 2023, but did not materialise.However, what sits against both Crispin Chhetri and Anthony Andrews is the fact that neither of them have an AFC Pro coaching license.Amid this renewed sentiment against Indian coaches, the fact that the U-17 and U-20 teams are managed by foreigners cannot be ignored. Ex-Italy international Pamela Conti will be in charge of the India U-17 team at the Asian Cup in May. Sweden’s Joakim Alexandersson is the coach of the under-20 team and will lead the women’s Asia Cup in April.India’s next steps will be the FIFA International window in April – with matches against Australia, Malawi and Kenya – and the SAFF Women’s Championship in June.But as things stand, the Indian women’s football team is no better than where it was last year.
