Spain’s legendary midfielder and ex-Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández reportedly applied—via a personal email—to become the next head coach of the Indian men’s national football team. The move stunned the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and football fans alike, as the form appeared to lack key details, including a contact number .
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2. What Went Wrong? The Financial Roadblock
While Xavi was among 170 applicants for the vacancy following Manolo Marquez’s resignation in June, the AIFF reportedly declined to consider him further—primarily due to financial constraints. According to sources, the federation determined that Xavi’s expected remuneration was far beyond what they could afford .
A member of the AIFF technical committee was quoted,
> “Even if Xavi was genuinely interested… we would need a lot of money.” .
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3. Shortlist: Local and International Candidates Continue
Despite Xavi’s high-profile application, AIFF’s technical committee opted to proceed with three other candidates:
Khalid Jamil (Indian coach, former ISL manager)
Stephen Constantine (experienced former India head coach)
Stefan Tarkovic (Slovakian coach)
Khalid Jamil is reportedly the frontrunner to succeed Marquez, due to his familiarity with the Indian system and lower expected costs.
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4. Why India’s Roja Messi Expressed Interest
Xavi’s interest reportedly stems from his admiration for Indian football’s development, particularly given the influx of Spanish coaches in the Indian Super League. In prior interviews, he confessed that he “sometimes follows the Indian League because many Spanish coaches are there.” .
As a player and coach, Xavi’s CV is stellar:
A decorated midfielder with La Liga and Champions League victories,
Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2008/2012 Euro triumphs,
Coaching stints at Al‑Sadd (Qatar) and Barcelona (2021–24) where he won La Liga and the Supercopa de España .
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5. Public Reaction: Outrage, Sarcasm, Sadness
News of the AIFF rejecting Xavi’s application triggered a wave of condemnation and satire across social media:
Many users questioned if crowdfunding could have helped bridge the financial gap
Some branded the decision as short-sighted and lacking ambition
Others pointed out the irony: "We spend billions on other ventures but can't invest in football’s future"
One quip stood out: rejecting Xavi was like “swiping left on Beyoncé because the dinner bill looked too high” .
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6. Tactical & Long-Term Implications
The AIFF’s decision reveals more than just budget limits—it speaks to broader concerns:
Can Indian football compete on the global stage without world-class coaching?
Is the federation willing to invest in long-term development rather than cost-saving short-cuts?
Will the emotional and PR value of a name like Xavi—potentially transformative—ever come into the decision-making balance?
For many fans, this missed opportunity symbolizes deeper structural challenges within Indian football.
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7. What’s Next for India’s National Team?
Emergency Executive Committee (EC) meeting expected within a week to finalize one of the three shortlisted names .
The new coach needs to be in place before India’s upcoming international fixtures: September friendlies and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in October.
The AIFF also confirmed that the Indian Super League (ISL) will be held this season, though the schedule remains tentative .
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8. Summary Table
Topic Details
Applicant Xavi Hernández (ex‑Barcelona player/coach, Spain legend)
Submission Method Sent via personal email, lacking contact number
AIFF's Decision Rejected due to budgetary infeasibility
Shortlisted Alternatives Khalid Jamil, Stephen Constantine, Stefan Tarkovic
Public Reaction Mockery, frustration, calls for crowdfunding to afford Xavi
Upcoming Schedule EC decision in ~7–8 days; Asian Cup qualifiers and friendly window upcoming
Long-Term Implications Highlights need for greater ambition & investment in Indian football
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Closing Thoughts
Xavi Hernández’s unexpected bid to coach India illuminated both hope and limitations. It presented a tantalizing possibility—global star power tied to grassroots ambition—but faded quickly under financial realities. As India prepares to appoint its next head coach, the challenge remains: should the federation aim not just for affordability, but for true transformation?
To explore more angles—such as fan speculation, comparison of candidate profiles, or reaction pieces from Kerala-based outlets like KV Sports—feel free to ask.
AIFF Confirms Xavi Applied via Email
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) acknowledged that Xavi Hernández formally submitted his coaching application—emailed directly from his personal account, with no contact number included .
AIFF’s National Team Director, Subrata Paul, confirmed:
> “It’s correct that Xavi’s name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF.” .
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💼 Rejection Over Financial Infeasibility
AIFF’s technical committee reviewed his submission but decided not to process it further, citing budgetary constraints and inability to meet the likely financial package demanded by a global star of his stature .
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