Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez allegedly applied for the Indian football team head coach position among 163 candidates, but AIFF rejected him due to financial constraints, while Spanish media denies he ever applied.
The Indian football world found itself at the center of an unexpected controversy when reports emerged that Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez had applied for the national team head coach position. What started as an exciting possibility has turned into a he-said, she-said saga that reveals deeper truths about Indian football’s current state.
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The Application That Stunned AIFF
According to a Times of India report, the All India Football Federation’s technical committee was left “wide-eyed” when they spotted Xavi’s name among 163 applications compiled by national team director Subrata Paul.
The former Spain international, who boasts over 130 caps, a FIFA World Cup victory, and two UEFA European Championships, reportedly sent his application from a personal email address. However, his contact number was conspicuously missing—perhaps the first red flag in this intriguing tale.
The Financial Reality Check
Despite the initial excitement, AIFF’s technical committee quickly brought the situation back to earth. The reason for not shortlisting the Barcelona legend was simple yet telling: his salary expectations were astronomically beyond Indian football’s reach.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Applications | 163 candidates |
| Xavi’s Application Source | Personal email (according to AIFF) |
| Rejection Reason | Financial constraints |
| Missing Detail | Contact number |
| AIFF’s Position | Cost-to-benefit ratio unfavorable |
| Spanish Media Response | Complete denial of application |
As one committee member noted, convincing Xavi would require a “massive financial commitment”—something the AIFF’s budget constraints simply couldn’t accommodate.
Spanish Media Fires Back
The plot thickened when Spanish media firmly denied the reports, with sources close to Xavi maintaining he never expressed interest in the Indian position. They’ve gone a step further, accusing AIFF of deliberately using Xavi’s name to generate attention and elevate the position’s profile during their coaching search.
This accusation raises uncomfortable questions about sports marketing tactics and whether organizations sometimes leverage big names for publicity without proper authorization.
The Reality of Indian Football’s Appeal
Whether Xavi applied or not, this saga highlights a crucial reality: Indian football, despite its passionate fanbase and growing infrastructure, still struggles to attract top-tier international talent due to financial limitations.
Xavi had previously mentioned following the Indian Super League in The Athletic, showing at least passing interest in Indian football. However, the gulf between interest and actual involvement often comes down to economics in professional sports.
The Final Three: A More Realistic Approach
AIFF has since moved forward with three realistic candidates who understand Indian football’s landscape:
Stephen Constantine brings proven experience, having previously guided India from a FIFA ranking of 173 to inside the top 100 and qualifying for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
Khalid Jamil represents homegrown expertise, famous for leading Aizawl FC to their historic I-League triumph in 2017 and becoming the first Indian to manage an ISL team.
Stefan Tarkovic offers international experience with Slovakia and Kyrgyzstan, bringing tactical discipline and the ability to work with limited resources.
What This Means for Indian Football
This controversy, regardless of its veracity, has inadvertently provided Indian football with valuable exposure. The mere possibility of Xavi considering the position has generated more international attention than the sport typically receives.
However, it also underscores the need for sustainable growth in Indian football finances to eventually attract world-class coaching talent without relying on publicity stunts.
The Bigger Picture
The new coach’s first major test will come in October during India’s 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers campaign. Whether it’s Constantine’s experience, Jamil’s local knowledge, or Tarkovic’s international perspective, the chosen candidate will need to navigate both on-field challenges and the heightened expectations this Xavi saga has inadvertently created.
For Indian football fans, this episode serves as both inspiration and reality check—showing that the sport is gaining global attention while highlighting the financial hurdles that still need to be overcome.
The truth about Xavi’s application may never be fully resolved, but it has certainly put Indian football in the spotlight, proving that sometimes controversy can be more valuable than confirmation.
Follow the latest developments in Indian football coaching appointments and financial developments on TechnoSports’ football coverage.
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