The All India Football Federation (AIFF) made an announcement on Monday regarding the termination of Igor Stimac from his role as the head coach of the Indian men's football team. This decision comes on the heels of a disappointing performance during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers. Senior officials of the AIFF convened a crucial virtual meeting led by Vice President N.A. Haris, with other prominent attendees including Menla Ethenpa, Anilkumar Prabhakaran, I.M. Vijayan, Climax Lawrence, and M. Satyanarayan.
The primary agenda of the meeting revolved around the lackluster showing of the Senior Men's National Team in their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign. The AIFF affirmed in its statement that all participants unanimously agreed it was imperative to appoint a new Head Coach to facilitate the team's improvement. Acting Secretary General Satyanarayan was tasked with communicating to the current Head Coach, Igor Stimac, that his contract was being terminated. Subsequently, the AIFF officially notified Stimac of his dismissal from the team's leadership.
Stimac, a former Croatian international who notably earned a bronze medal as a player in the 1998 FIFA World Cup, assumed the position of head coach of the Blue Tigers on May 15, 2019, succeeding Stephen Constantine. Stimac's tenure culminated with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers, during which the Indian team appeared bereft of ideas, particularly evident in matches against Kuwait and Afghanistan. The attacking prowess of the Indian team notably struggled under Stimac's guidance.
Igor Stimac's stint as head coach of the Indian national football team has been characterized by both controversy and mixed results. Appointed in 2019, Stimac has faced scrutiny over his tactical choices, squad selections, and match-day management. Despite achieving notable successes such as securing three titles in 2023, including the SAFF Championship and the Intercontinental Cup, his overall performance has been a subject of debate among fans and analysts alike.
A primary critique has been Stimac's perceived lack of a coherent game plan. He has been criticized for alternating between possession-oriented football and direct long-ball tactics, often without a clear strategic approach. This inconsistency has resulted in disappointing outcomes against stronger opponents, notably the 0-2 defeat to Australia and the 0-3 loss to Uzbekistan during the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.
Additionally, Stimac's management during matches has drawn criticism. Apart from issues with emotional control, leading to several touchline bans, Stimac has been accused of making substitutions late in games, often when the outcome is already decided. This has raised concerns about his adaptability and ability to devise alternative strategies during matches.
The controversy surrounding Stimac's tenure was further exacerbated by reports of his alleged consultation with an astrologer during the Asian Cup Qualifiers. Such incidents have fueled apprehensions regarding the professionalism and integrity of the team's management under his leadership.
