&w=1920&resize=1920,0&ssl=1)
&w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Igor Stimac also said he had already decided to leave his post in India even though the Blue Tigers had qualified for the third round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers because the AIFF was “full of lies ” and he had not received “appropriate support”. .
Learn more
Igor Stimac, who was sacked as head coach of the Indian men’s football team on Monday, once again hit back at the All India Football Federation (AIFF) during a press session on Friday that he described as the “latest” example of his interaction with Indian journalists. . Stimac said he wanted to take the opportunity to explain his side of the story following his dismissal as India coach following the national team’s exit from the second round of the World Cup qualifiers. FIFA World 2026.
Stimac, who had a contract until 2026, had recently accused AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey of breaching his contract on several occasions. During the press session, the 56-year-old football tactician revealed that he had already decided to quit his post in India, even though the Blue Tigers had qualified for the third place in the World Cup qualifiers. FIFA, because the AIFF was “full of lies”. and he did not receive “adequate support”.
Igor Stimac: Two good years, three not so good and a disappointing end
“Not surprised we split up.” Most of my senior players knew that I had decided to leave even though we qualified for the third round. It was impossible for me to continue without adequate support, full of lies and people who only had private interests,” he said.
Training his guns at Chaubey, Stimac said the AIFF president must vacate his post for the betterment of football in India.
“The sooner Kalyan Chaubey leaves, the better it will be for Indian football,” Stimac said.
“AIFF president gets pictures of people in important positions just to grab social media attention. He is now giving bytes to several influencers.
“Kalyan only cares about being popular – recent media encounters show that. You say he is a politician, no one knows him even in Calcutta. We need someone strong and supportive to lead us.
Igor Stimac sacked by the AIFF: what next for Indian football?
The former Croatia international added that Indian football cannot improve even in the next two decades if things do not change.
“I came with an open heart but I suffered so much. Your football is imprisoned. I accepted the challenge five years ago, but nothing will happen in twenty years. I don’t see anything good happening soon,” Stimac said.
Focus on the national team
He also emphasized that to make football popular in India, the focus should be on the national team and not the clubs.
“No club success will help develop football in India, only the success of the Indian football team will help football explode in India. We must therefore work in this direction.
Stimac also explained how work-related stress led him to undergo heart surgery. He said the AIFF gave him a final warning after he said in the media that the World Cup qualifiers were more important than the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and that this caution was having a negative impact on his health.
“After telling them that the World Cup qualifiers were more important than the Asia Cup, I received a final warning from the AIFF. When I received the final warning on December 2, no one knew, I ended up in the hospital. I was disturbed by everything that was happening; stressed by the obvious problems. I had immediate heart surgery. I wasn’t ready to talk to anyone or make excuses.
“I was ready to put myself on the line to prepare my team for the Asian Cup to give my best,” Stimac said.
Igor Stimac sacked: Top 5 candidates for India head coach job
While the AIFF offered Stimac only three months’ salary amounting to around Rs 75 lakh as compensation for terminating his contract prematurely, Stimac threatened to take the football federation to the FIFA court to obtain his full salary until the end of the contract. According to reports, the AIFF may be forced to pay him around Rs 6 core.
Emotional goodbye
During the media interaction, Stimac said that last week he had given AIFF Acting General Secretary Mr. Satyanarayan the option to wait for a while as he was already in talks with other parties for a new position, and in this way, the Indian football federation would not have had to pay the compensation, but they still decided to fire him.
“I had informed Satya that I have two offers and am discussing to decide my future and by the end of the month I will make a decision. But I asked him if he wanted to end it early, then I can, but I need someone from the AIFF who would take responsibility with me,” Stimac revealed.
Reflecting on his bond with the Indian players and how he bid farewell to them, Stimac shared that he sent his farewell message through a WhatsApp group and the responses from the players made him emotional.
“Since this happened, I just asked to organize a WhatsApp group with all the players and staff, which has almost 120 people. I sent them a farewell message appreciating their passion and hard work. Since then, the messages I have received have been heartbreaking. I would like to read it to you but I won’t because I will start crying again.
