New Delhi: Amidst a crisis in Indian football, former India central midfielder and seasoned coach Santosh Kashyap has delivered a scathing critique of the system, stating that “not even Pep Guardiola can help Indian football” if structural issues and misplaced priorities continue.
The comment comes as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) prepares to name a new head coach by August 1, following the resignation of Manolo Marquez. Indian football recently hit its lowest FIFA ranking in a decade — a sobering No. 133 — prompting nationwide concerns and a flood of over 170 applications for the job. Among the shortlisted candidates are Slovakian Stefan Tarkovic, England’s Stephen Constantine, and India’s Khalid Jamil.
Kashyap, who also applied, expressed no disappointment about being left out but emphasized the need for homegrown leadership.
“Not even a coach like Guardiola, with multiple European club titles, can fix this. Foreign coaches arrive, make unreasonable demands that the federation can’t meet, and ultimately fail — blaming players,” said Kashyap, a 59-year-old AFC Pro License holder with coaching stints at clubs like Mohun Bagan, Air India, Aizawl FC, and Salgaocar FC.
Indian Coaches Understand the System
Kashyap argued that only an Indian coach truly understands the local footballing ecosystem — from grassroots to senior team dynamics — and is better equipped to navigate its limitations.
“We’ve had a respectable FIFA ranking under coaches like Syed Nayeemuddin and Sukhvinder Singh. Since 2005, there hasn’t been a full-time Indian coach. That has to change,” he stated.
Kashyap also took aim at Manolo Marquez’s dual role — as the national team coach and former FC Goa manager — calling it a flawed decision from the outset.
“There’s no other country where the national coach also runs a club side. The job was bound to be overwhelming,” he said.
Clock Ticking for New Coach
With the AFC Asian Cup third round qualifiers approaching in October, time is running out for whoever takes charge. Kashyap believes that only an Indian coach can turn things around quickly.
“I’ve turned around club teams in no time and even led the Indian women’s team to the SAFF Women’s Championship semifinals after just a month of preparation. An Indian coach brings heart, hustle, and pride — foreign coaches need months just to understand the system,” he added.
The Road Ahead
As the AIFF inches closer to naming a successor, Kashyap’s remarks are a stark reminder that the problem runs deeper than just choosing the next name on the clipboard. It’s about rebuilding faith in Indian coaching, empowering local talent, and designing systems that suit India’s unique sporting landscape.
Whether or not the AIFF listens to voices like Kashyap’s, one thing is clear: Indian football stands at a crossroads, and the decisions made now could define its trajectory for years to come.
