Former India midfielder Khalid Jamil has been appointed head coach of the national men’s football team, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) confirmed on 26 July. The 48-year-old replaces Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who stepped down last month after a string of poor results.
Jamil beat out England’s Stephen Constantine and Slovakia’s Stefan Tarkovic for the role. He became the first Indian to coach the senior men’s team since Savio Medeira’s short spell from 2011 to 2012.
The AIFF said the decision reflects their renewed commitment to promoting domestic talent, with president Kalyan Chaubey and other executive committee members stressing that Indian coaches “need to be given a fair chance to prove themselves”.
Born in Kuwait, Jamil earned 40 international caps between 1998 and 2006 and played as a midfielder. After retiring in 2009, he transitioned to coaching and has led several top clubs in India’s domestic leagues. He was appointed head coach of Indian Super League side Jamshedpur FC in 2023 and has been credited with working closely with local talent.
Though some AIFF members backed a return for Constantine who previously had two stints with India Jamil was preferred for his ongoing work with Indian players and his deeper understanding of the local football ecosystem.
Jamil takes charge at a difficult time for Indian football. The men’s team is ranked 133rd in the FIFA rankings, their worst position in nearly a decade and has just one win from their last 16 matches.
Marquez’s reign lasted just eight matches and one year, ending with a solitary victory. Meanwhile, the upcoming season of the Indian Super League remains uncertain due to a dispute between the AIFF and its commercial partner.
India are set to participate in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 later this month before facing Singapore in two AFC Asian Cup final round qualifiers in October. The long-term goal remains qualification for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, a target that seems increasingly difficult given recent form.