"Please bring Bob back," say the Indian fans

Following the recent 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Oman, Indian football fans are in outrage. For a team that was on its dream run from 2007 to 2010, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that that dream has shattered since that 2-0 loss to Iraq back in 2010.

It first started with the sacking of the most successful Indian coaches in recent time Bob Houghton, amid allegations of racism. Then the job went to Dempo coach Armando Colaco who managed only 1 win in 5 games. Now the task has fallen into the hands of former Salgaocar coach and Indian assistant manager Savio Madeira. Madeira has managed to win the SAFF Championship in December, but continuous losses against higher ranked oppositions have led to fans calling for his immediate removal, a few weeks before the prestigious AFC Challenge Cup in March.

The situation can somewhat be compared to the reaction of the fans after Kevin Keegan was fired as manager of Newcastle United a few years ago. The comments made by fans are in the same line, calling for the immediate sacking of the coach….

Dhiraj Khatri, an aspiring footballer from Siliguri calls the Indian gaffer wasteful and does not think that he is the man for the job. “Sack savio. Now its enough,no more thrashing.We are playing horrible against higher ranked teams…Savio is not utilising resources…..”

Rahul Mudiraj, an ardent supporter of FC Barcelona from Hyderabad criticises the way India are playing these days. “Sack the coach first of all and keep a European coach. They must not play long ball and must try to have more possession on the ball. The ball possession was not good.”

Joseph Thomas from Malappuram supports the coach but questions his team selection“If a player plays well, other players are given a chance. However, if a player plays horribly then “they need time to adjust.” Why Savio, Why?”

Not the right man for the job?

Jake Boyer goes on to compare what Bob Houghton has done for India to what Sir Alex Ferguson has done for Manchester United…”We have lost our winning mentality, aggression, tempo, fighting spirit and everything else which we have gained under Bob Houghton. Next time AIFF will make a local coach the new manager of India. Look at how India was playing and winning under Bob. Bob was the perfect match for India just like Sir Alex and Manchester United. Even if Guardiola comes and coaches India, it won’t win anything, and about the short term it was Bob who implemented and started the vision of a young team.”

Vaibhav Srivastava from Kolkata feels that the future is bleak for India, if the AIFF does not change things around. “Madeira was the Coach of Salgaocar SC when they were relegated from I-League and now we have to go on under Savio’s coaching..”

Bob was the perfect match for India just like Sir Alex and Manchester United

India's Sir Alex Ferguson?

Hari Govind from Thrissur has a positive outlook compared to the other fans. “Although we lost..I liked the game India played today.. there were lots of short passes and good moves instead of lobbing the ball which unfortunately happens to be our strategy in every game.. but the defence was weak, which led them to scoring 5 goals… a few more games like this with good teams and India will improve.”

John Lyngdoh, a Phd student originally from Shillong is however completely in favour of Bob Houghton. “Savio has tried his best but was not able to deliver. He should prove himself in the I-League first and then come to the national side. Bob Houghton was doing a fantastic job as India boss and should be recalled by the AIFF.”

The one the fans trust

Elvin Nampui from Silchar is another one completely in favour of Bob. “Please bring Bob back, AIFF. Please throw away your egos and think about the future of Indian football. Bob knows the best about Indian football. What Indian Football has achieved till now is all because of him.”

Abhishek Das from Kolkata thinks that we need a better coach as of now. “If my teacher is not world class… then how can I become world class? This is the main problem with Indian football.The coaches don’t have the quality. So how can our boys become world class players?”

Nevertheless, India’s star defender Nirmal Chettri has come out in support of the team saying, “One match doesn’t make the difference in the team..we are the same team who delivered the good result last month and we will again deliver!!”

However, even if bringing back Robert Douglas “Bob” Houghton was considered as an option by the apex football body the AIFF, will the Englishman return to the India job especially under the circumstances under which he left?