In a surprising turn of events that briefly caught the attention of the global football community, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially turned down Xavi Hernández’s application for the position of head coach of the Indian men’s national football team. The reason? A lack of funds.
A Global Icon, A Humble Email
According to reports, the former Barcelona captain and recently-resigned manager of FC Barcelona submitted his application directly to the AIFF via email. However, his proposal reportedly lacked basic contact details and was missing key formalities, leading many within the AIFF to question whether it was a genuine offer or a misunderstanding.
Despite this, the idea of a global footballing legend like Xavi showing interest in Indian football sparked a brief wave of excitement and speculation.
Too Costly to Consider
While his footballing credentials are unquestionable, Xavi’s appointment would have required a financial commitment far beyond the federation’s current capabilities. According to AIFF insiders, even a preliminary discussion around salary expectations, support staff requirements, and logistical costs indicated that the move was economically unrealistic.
“Even if he was genuinely interested, we simply don’t have the budget to entertain a coach of that stature,” an AIFF official stated anonymously.
Technical Committee Chooses Practical Path
With over 170 applications received for the vacant head coach role, the AIFF’s technical committee narrowed down the final shortlist to three realistic and financially feasible candidates:
Stephen Constantine – Former India coach with experience in improving national team rankings.
Khalid Jamil – The first Indian head coach in the ISL with a proven domestic track record.
Stefan Tarković – Former Slovakia national team coach with experience at the international level.
Xavi’s application, while flattering to Indian football, was quickly ruled out in the early stages of screening.
Fans React with Mixed Emotions
Football fans across the country expressed a mixture of amusement, pride, and frustration. On platforms like Reddit and Twitter, some fans saw Xavi’s interest as a sign that Indian football is gaining recognition, while others criticized the AIFF for not being more ambitious.
“Imagine the media attention, the sponsorships, the player development if Xavi had taken over,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Let’s be realistic. AIFF is barely funding grassroots. We need sustainable growth, not publicity stunts,” another commented.
What Lies Ahead for Indian Football?
The rejection of Xavi’s application may seem like a missed opportunity on the surface, but it underlines a larger reality: Indian football is still grappling with limited resources, infrastructure gaps, and budget prioritization.
While the AIFF’s decision may seem cautious, it reflects a growing effort to build a national team based on consistent development rather than short-term glamour.
