Savio Medeira's future: "There is no ambiguity" - Kushal Das

In the excitement of hearing India’s to-be football coach speak for the first time, Savio Medeira’s name was almost forgotten in the press conference at Football House. It was not known yet whether Savio would go back to the position he enjoyed during Bob Houghton’s and Armando Colaco’s time. However it was finally brought up.

The question was directed at Mr. Kushal Das, who was sitting on the dais alongside Wim Koevermans. It was about the ambiguity surrounding Savio Medeira’s future since the AIFF had announced a new coach, and whether he would still fit in the national setup. Mr. Das replied, “There is no ambiguity, we have a clear understanding and Savio will continue to be a part of the national team.” Mr. Das was then further probed, and asked about in what capacity Savio would fit now, to which he said, “We will work that out, that is a different aspect. That aspect has to be looked at by Wim, but we definitely have him in our plans.”

If Savio goes back to the position he enjoyed in the team before he was made head coach, the significant drop in accountability may spur him on to do his job more efficiently and, maybe, recreate a familiar atmosphere in the team. Savio can be professional about the whole matter and focus all his energies on doing the task at hand. On the flip side, one can only hope that it doesn’t have a negative impact and create bad blood between people because of the shared memories of India’s dismal performance in the AFC Challenge Cup and the friendlies that India lost under Savio Medeira.

An official clear cut announcement in this matter by the AIFF is still awaited.