Khalid Jamil named Indian men's football head coach

Khalid Jamil head coach of indian national football team: Former India player Khalid Jamil has been appointed the head coach of the Indian national football team, becoming the first Indian in 13 years to claim the position.

Jamil, who famously guided the unheralded Aizawl Football Club to the I-League title in 2017, is currently in charge of Indian Super League (ISL) team Jamshedpur FC. He was selected for India's top post by the All India Football Federation's (AIFF) executive committee from a three-man shortlist.

The other two shortlisted contenders were former India head coach Stephen Constantine and Stefan Tarkovic, who previously managed the Slovakia national team.


The AIFF’s Technical Committee, led by the great striker IM Vijayan, had shortlisted the three candidates for the executive committee's final decision.

Jamil is an AFC Pro License Diploma holder and will succeed Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who parted ways with the AIFF last month following India’s recent struggles.

The last Indian to serve as head coach of the national men’s team was Savio Medeira, who held the position from 2011 to 2012.

Jamil's first challenge in the new role will be the Central Asian Football Association (CAFA) Nations Cup, to be held in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan starting August 29.

Jamil won the I-League title for Aizawl FC when the annual budget of the club was Rs 2 crore in the 206-17 season. The team beat giants like Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Bengaluru FC.

The Mumbaikar has also guided two relatively understated sides to the ISL play-offs -- NorthEast United in 2020-21 and Jamshedpur FC in 2024-25.

He will have the tough task of reversing India's poor performances in recent past.

After losing 0-1 to lower-ranked Hong Kong in an away match of the AFC Asian Cup qualifiers on June 10, the country has been left in danger of missing out on qualifying for the continental showpiece in 2027.

After the CAFA Nations Cup, India play their AFC Asian Cup qualifying round games on October 9 and 14 -- against Singapore home and away.