The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Friday appointed Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the men’s national team, ending a 13-year wait for a homegrown manager to lead the Blue Tigers.
The 48-year-old becomes the first Indian to hold the permanent post since Savio Medeira’s tenure in 2011-12. Jamil succeeds Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who stepped down last month after failing to secure a single win in a year of competitive matches.
The AIFF Executive Committee confirmed the appointment on Friday after endorsing the recommendation from its Technical Committee. Jamil was selected from a three-man shortlist that also included former India coach Stephen Constantine and Slovakian manager Stefan Tarkovic.
Sources indicate the decision was driven by a desire to hire a coach familiar with the domestic football landscape and by the federation’s current financial constraints. Jamil’s appointment is seen as a more economically viable option following the costly termination of former coach Igor Stimac’s contract.
Jamil, an AFC Pro License holder, brings a decorated domestic résumé. He has achieved the rare distinction of winning India’s top division both as a player with Mahindra United in the 2005-06 season and as a manager. His coaching career is famously highlighted by leading underdogs Aizawl FC to a historic and unexpected I-League title in 2017, one of the great upsets in modern Indian football.
More recently, he enjoyed a successful spell with Jamshedpur FC, guiding them to the Super Cup semi-finals last season and an ISL semi-final berth this year after taking charge midway through the previous campaign.
Jamil faces an immediate and difficult first assignment at the CAFA Nations Cup later this month, where India, currently ranked 133rd, will play defending champions Iran and Tajikistan. Despite being held outside a FIFA international window, the tournament will provide him an early opportunity to assess his squad.
While Jamil remains contracted to Jamshedpur FC until 2026, it is understood he will complete the ongoing Durand Cup campaign with the club before taking full-time charge of the national team.
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