President AIFF Kalyan Chaubey on Thursday, June 13, broke his silence because the growing pressure and widespread criticism surrounded the football team of the national men after a series of depressing results. Chauby, who spoke at a press conference in Nový Delhi, outlined the plan ahead of us – one that includes key decisions on coaching, developing players and Indian international ambitions.
At the core of the matter lies Uncertain future India head coach Manolo Marquezwho has faced a growing control since last year’s takeover of Igor Stimac. The Spaniard has only one victory in eight matches-friendly victories over Maldivy-A could not deliver competing accessories, including a frustrating draw with Bangladesh and defeat 0-1 in Hong Kong.
“Manolo is a highly evaluated coach with a fixed understanding of Indian football and his players … However, in the last few days we have taken several calls to ask if he should continue. At the Executive Committee meeting, decisions will be taken to accept the Committee in the future.
Lack of attackers under the reflector
Most of the ongoing Indian struggles shrink into a glaring lack of firepower in advance – Chaubey’s fear was acknowledged directly. The Federation is now actively trying to identify new U-23 assault talents to deal with a problem on its roots.
“Our main area of focus is the lack of score scores and lack of attackers. Each in Indian football will agree to be our main problem. One of the possible measures could be allowed to allow fewer foreigners, and thus provide more space to Indian attackers,” he explained.
The President AIFF also explained that although he cannot unilaterally save changes in the domestic league, he will welcome any step that gives Indian attackers more playing time.
“I can’t say anything about reducing the number of foreigners in the home league; this is the decision of the parties, but in the interests of the national team, if they decide to give Indian positive attackers more time, I will be happy to adapt.”
Indian inability to find the natural successor Sunil CHHETRI was recently thrown into a sharp focus, when the legendary striker came out of international retirement just to be in the necessary game against Hong Kong. The decision that returned because India could not create any real threat of the goal.
To solve it, Chauby revealed an ambitious plan that will bring world -class mentor.
“We are trying to get the attacker of the winning World Cup to come and help us. We are trying to identify 4-5 good attackers from the U-23 and train under it for several days as if they were practicing their shooting skills and improved their instincts to achieve goals,” he said.
Indian continental dreams remain alive
Despite the chaos surrounding the national team, the AIFF is determined by its long -term growth plan on the international scene. Chauby confirmed that India would try to organize the main tournaments in the coming decades.
“While the country offers Olympic Games 2036, we are also trying for the Asian Cup AFC 2031.”
Personal disputes with Bhaichung Bhutia
In the middle of a wider discussion about Indian football fighting, long -term personal rivalry also returned. Kalyan Chaubey took the opportunity to respond to scary remarks, previously made by former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia.
Bhutia accused the AIFF and his President of Indian football failure and “destruction of sport”, citing poor management, lack of structure and poor results as evidence of systemic failure. His comments added fuel to the already tense atmosphere surrounding the direction of the national team.
“He (Bhaichung Bhutia) takes several crors of rupees as an academy advisor, but never visit them. These academies are badly performing at tournaments,” Chaubey said.
Chaubey, however, did not stay in his refuted. He directly accused Bhutia of failure in his own obligations as an advisor to football academies and questioned the credibility of his criticism.
“Bhaichung Bhutia was a paid AIFF advisor and took advantage of all the benefits. His Bhutia Academy team lost 31-0 at the Minerva Academy.
The bad blood between these two dates back to the presidential elections AIFF 2022, where Chaubey beat Bhuti a huge margin. Their continuing rivalry now reflects the turbulence in Indian football itself – broken, under pressure and is looking for a way forward.
India Keep Open OCI Open
In significant development, the President of AIFF Kalyan Chaubey shared that the federations in active interviews with various government authorities allow overseas citizens to play in India (OCI) for the national team.
He revealed that pre -interviews with the relevant ministries were positive and the AIFF was already involved in a group of players who could potentially strengthen the national team in the future.
“The AIFF actively launched communication with the relevant departments of various Ministries of Indian Government regarding OCI players. And I have to say that the initial answer was encouraging. We are in communication with 33 players falling into the ECC category. Some of them have eyes and some of them are in the process of application.
As the judgment 29 of June was weaving on Marquez, the reflector is firmly on the management of Chaubey to add not only the decision on coaching, but also the direction of direction for the male national team.
Published:
Debodinna Chakracorty
Published on:
June 13, 2025
