Shillong, Aug 1: The All India Football Federation today announced the appointment of Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Indian men’s national football team, making him the first Indian in 13 years to lead the senior side.
The 48-year-old, who is currently the head coach of Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League, is best known for guiding Aizawl FC to an historic I-League title in 2016-17, which saw the Mizoram-based team lift the trophy in Shillong, no less. That win, still considered one of the greatest underdog stories in Indian football, was the pinnacle of his career as coach.
Since then, he has maintained a North East connection by leading NorthEast United FC in the ISL in 2021-22. Even before that, though, he had filled in as interim head coach in two preceding seasons after the club parted ways with foreign coaches.
His appointment was finalised by the AIFF executive committee, after shortlisting three names: Jamil, former India coach Stephen Constantine and ex-Slovakia coach Stefan Tarkovic. The list was recommended by the AIFF’s Technical Committee, headed by Indian football legend IM Vijayan.
Jamil takes over from Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who stepped down last month after a series of poor performances.
Jamil’s first major challenge will be the upcoming CAFA Nations Cup, scheduled to begin on 29th August in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
A former midfielder, Jamil represented India 40 times and played club football for Mahindra United, Air India and Mumbai FC. After injuries forced him to retire early in 2009, he turned to coaching, starting with his old side Mumbai FC. Though success was hard to come by for the club in the I-League, Jamil was admired for the way the team were able to punch above their weight.
Since then, he has managed some of India’s biggest clubs including Mohun Bagan and East Bengal.
He was the first Indian head coach to lead an ISL club on a full-time basis and also the only Indian coach to reach the ISL playoffs, a feat he achieved with NEUFC in 2020–21 after the club split with coach Gerard Nus.
(All India Football Federation photo)
