The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) technical committee has expressed dissatisfaction with head coach Igor Stimac following India’s disappointing performance in the recent friendlies against Afghanistan. The committee met on Thursday to discuss the team’s 2-1 home defeat and 0-0 away draw against the lower-ranked opponents.
“Pretty much no one is happy with him after the loss in Guwahati,” said a technical committee member, requesting anonymity. “We have conveyed that.”
The committee’s concerns stem from India’s lackluster displays and failure to secure a win against Afghanistan, who are ranked 41 places below them in the FIFA rankings. This marks the first time India has lost to Afghanistan at home.
The technical committee had previously met with Stimac virtually in February, where they emphasized the importance of positive results in the upcoming FIFA windows in March and June. However, the recent setbacks have raised doubts about Stimac’s ability to deliver.
Removing Stimac immediately would trigger a hefty compensation package, as his contract runs until 2026 and is worth $30,000 per month. AIFF is reportedly exploring options to negotiate an amicable solution with the Croatian coach.
Despite the setbacks, India remains in contention for a place in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers. They are currently second in Group A with four points from four games, ahead of Afghanistan on goal difference. A win against Kuwait on June 6 could secure their qualification.
Stimac has previously stated that he will resign if India fails to qualify for the third round. He is expected to leave for home from New Delhi on Friday.
