Aiff technical committee chairman

Croatian World Cupper Igor Stimac: AIFF Technical Committee Chairman I.M. Vijayan on Thursday refuted Bhaichung Bhutia’s allegation that the panel was ‘bypassed’ in appointing the new national men's team head coach, Manolo Marquez.

In July, the AIFF Executive Committee appointed Spaniard Marquez, currently in charge of ISL side FC Goa, as the new head coach, replacing Croatian World Cupper Igor Stimac, who was dismissed in June after India failed to qualify for the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Former international Bhaichung, who is a co-opted member of the Executive Committee, even said that he intended to resign from the AIFF Technical Committee because it was bypassed while naming the new head coach.