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After a memorable stint with the Indian national football team, Stephen Constantine resigned as the head coach after India failed to qualify for the knock-out stage of the recently concluded 2019 AFC Asian Cup.
The news came as a shock after India lost to Bahrain in the final group stage game of the competition.
Several names have cropped up as a replacement for the Englishman, but the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is yet to recruit anyone. With the post still vacant, there are many coaches who have shown interest in taking up the job.
With the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers being the next big assignment for the 'Blue Tigers', the governing body needs to take a quick decision to get fruitful results.
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It will be interesting to see who gets recruited just after India's heartbreak at the continental meet earlier this year.
Let us have a look at five managers who are interested in taking up the job:
#5 Ashley Westwood
Bengaluru FC has been one of the most consistent sides in Indian football for the past five years.
One of the main reasons for the dominance was due to their manager Ashley Westwood who was at the helm of affairs at the club till 2016.
The Englishman guided Bengaluru FC to its first I-League title in their debut season back in 2013-14.
He followed it up with a Federation Cup title in 2015-16, while he ensured he wasn’t trophyless for a single season, he steered the JSW owned side to their second I-League title in 2015-16.
Although he was out of action for quite some time, he was later appointed as the director of football at ATK in 2017, he is still in the managerial department with the Kolkata based side.
This will be a perfect opportunity if he manages to grab hold of the job and kick-start coaching career once again.
#4 Sergio Lobera
The Spanish coach was recruited by FC Goa in 2017, the change of hands was quite decisive for the club in the future.
Since then, FC Goa has been one of the most consistent squads in the Indian Super League. The ‘Gaurs’ narrowly missed out a shot at the championship last season after the loss to eventual champions Chennaiyin FC.
The former Barcelona youth team manager has impressed during his stay in India, he has immense abilities to marshal his troops in any situation.
Mainly banking on his Spanish players at his disposal, Lobera has always offered an attacking brand of football. Even in the ongoing season, they have scored the maximum number of goals.
Although the ISL season is still in final stages and con considering the fact that FC Goa is most likely to qualify for the playoffs, it would be great news for the tactician if he takes charge of the national team after the tournament gets over.
For the records, Sergio Lobera has a contract with the ‘Gaurs’ till the 2019-20 season.
#3 Eelco Schattorie
The Dutchman has been in and around the Indian football circuit for quite a long time, but it was in the ongoing Indian Super League that he got his due share of fame.
After a disappointing show by the NorthEast United FC in the last season, Eelco Schattorie was given the charge of the unit.
He delivered for the Highlanders, with the team still in a comfortable position to make it to the top four.
The primary reason that he is suitable for the job is simply that of the amount of time he has spent in the country.
Setting foot on Indian soil as a coach for the first time in 2012, he guided Prayag United to an IFA Shield title.
He was also at the helm of affairs during Prayag’s 2012-13 I-League campaign, but he couldn’t save the team from being relegated.
The former East Bengal coach will be a fair selection if he gets the national job. Known for his aggressive style of play, his arrival may change the attitude of the Indian players in the near future.
#2 Cesar Farias
Cesar Farias is the only name on this list who isn’t associated with Indian football for quite some time now.
After guiding the NorthEast United FC to a fifth-place finish in the 2015 Indian Super League season, he shifted his base to Latin America.
After managerial stints in Paraguay and Bolivia, he finally settled down as the caretaker manager of the Bolivian national football team.
He coached the Venezuelan national team for quite some time and steered them to a first ever semi-final in the Copa America during the 2011 edition in Argentina. Now, he has applied for the head coach of the Indian national football team.
He is the only gaffer in this list apart from Antonio Habas, who has had an experience of coaching a national side, which is really handy.
On the other hand, Cesar has been pretty successful at the International level. Finally, he has spent a season in the country, which makes him a front runner for the job.
#1 Antonio Lopez Habas
Antonio Lopez Habas stormed into Indian football circuit with a championship place finish in charge of Atletico de Kolkata in the inaugural season of the Indian Super League.
After staying a for another season with the club, the former La Liga star moved to FC Pune City but resigned following a difference in opinion with the board of directors in 2017.
After two years’ detachment with the Asian country, Habas has applied for the job as the head coach of the Indian national team.
This will be a big boost for him, especially for his managerial career. But it is still not sure whether the All India Football Federation (AIFF) will recruit him ahead of other contenders.
Having the likes of Antonio Lopez Habas will have several effects on the national team. First of all, he is a very disciplined coach and knows to bring out the best in a player.
His substitution in the final of the opening season back in 2014 was a masterstroke. The Spaniard brought on Mohammad Rafique in the latter stages of the match, who eventually scored the winning goal.
