AIFF Terminates Head Coach Igor Stimac’s Contract with immediate effect

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Igor Stimac

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has taken the decision to terminate the services of Head Coach Igor Stimac with immediate effect. The move comes after the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men’s National Team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign.

Igor Stimac’s termination

Senior AIFF officials held a virtual meeting on June 16, 2024. The meeting was chaired by AIFF Vice President NA Haris, and other members included Menla Ethenpa, Anilkumar Prabhakaran, IM Vijayan, Climax Lawrence, and M. Satyanarayan.

The members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward. Consequently, the Acting Secretary General, Mr. Satyanarayan, notified Igor Stimac of the decision to terminate his engagement.

A notice of termination has been issued to Stimac by the AIFF Secretariat, and he stands relieved of his obligations with immediate effect.

The AIFF expressed gratitude to Stimac for his service to the National Team and wished him well in his future endeavours. This decision marks a significant moment in Indian football, as the search for a new Head Coach begins.

Igor Stimac’s tenure as the head coach of the Indian national football team has been marked by controversy and mixed results. Appointed in 2019, Stimac has faced criticism for his tactical decisions, team selection, and in-game management. Despite achieving some notable successes, such as winning three titles in 2023, including the SAFF Championship and the Intercontinental Cup, his overall performance has been questioned by fans and pundits alike.