Xavi Hernandez (foto: Getty Images)
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez applied to coach India’s national team, but AIFF dismissed the application due to high salary demands and lack of contact details.
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) was left stunned after receiving a coaching application from Xavi Hernandez, the legendary former Barcelona and Spain midfielder.
According to the Times of India, Xavi personally sent his application via email, expressing interest in replacing Igor Štimac as India’s national team coach. However, the application came without any contact number and was not followed up with direct communication.
Despite the star power behind the submission, the AIFF’s Technical Committee didn’t treat it as a serious option. Savio Medeira, a member of the committee, confirmed the receipt of Xavi’s application, but internal discussions revealed the financial reality behind the scenes.
"Even if his application was completely serious and we managed to convince him to take over the national team, the cost would be enormous," said one board member present during the virtual meeting.
Xavi had an extraordinary career, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain, along with 25 trophies at Barcelona, including four Champions League titles. His coaching career began with Al Sadd in Qatar and later Barcelona, where he won the La Liga title in 2022/23.
His interest in Indian football isn’t entirely new. Xavi previously revealed in an interview with The Athletic that he occasionally watches the Indian Super League, especially since several Spanish coaches are involved.
The AIFF is still in search of a new head coach after parting ways with Igor Štimac, who had led India since 2019 and won two SAFF Championships but failed to make a mark on the continental stage.