Indian Football Team Coach Igor Stimac: Chhetri Won't Be in Team on Past Glory (Highlights)

Igor Stimac, who was appointed as head coach of the Indian men’s football team a little over a week back, held his first media interaction in New Delhi on May 24. The former Croatia international, alongside Indian football technical director Isac Doru, shared their vision, and give a brief outline of their roadmap for the future of not just the national team but also the game in the country. (Get highlights of the Indian football team coach Igor Stimac and technical director Isac Doru’s media interaction below)  

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Both Doru and Stimac seem to be on the same page regarding the way forward for Indian football. Doru seems more the philosopher, and Stimac the pragmatist.

It was quite admirable that both have identified and made clear that neither league (the Indian Super League and I-League) is dispensable and the way forward is integration.

Stimac has had some time with the national team and will be making his decision on the final squad for his first assignment (the King’s Cup in Thailand) within the next two days. He likes the old guys, but was clear when asked that Sunil Chhetri (or any senior pro for that matter) can’t feature in the team based on past glory. He wants to give youth a chance too.