Khalid Jamil Becomes First Full-Time Indian Head Coach Of National Football Team Since 2005

Last Updated:August 02, 2025, 11:59 IST

The AIFF picked Jamil to helm the Blue Tigers due to his familiarity with the players and the setup ahead of crucial upcoming tournaments.

Khalid Jamil, the new full-time appointment. (Picture credit: ISL)

Khalid Jamil is all set to script a new chapter in Indian football history, taking the reins as head coach of the national team—a move both bold and steeped in promise for fans across the country.

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has paved the way for Jamil, currently mentoring Jamshedpur FC, to become the first Indian to hold the position full-time since Sukhvinder Singh in 2005. In true drama befitting Indian football, the offer is on Jamil’s table, with a decision expected in just 24 to 48 hours. Once formalized, it signals a rare vote of confidence in homegrown coaching talent, after years of foreign stewardship and only brief interim stints by Indians like Armando Colaco and Savio Medeira.

Jamil’s appointment is more than a personnel shuffle. “It was felt the federation must give an opportunity to an Indian coach," the AIFF declared after its executive committee meeting. Especially with India gearing up for the CAFA Nations Cup later this August and a crucial double-header Asian Cup qualifying clash against Singapore looming in October, the consensus was that Jamil’s hands-on familiarity with Indian footballers gave him an edge. “Jamil would be a better option, since he has been working with Indian players on a regular basis," the federation stated.

The technical committee didn’t leave things to chance. After reviewing the resumes of Jamil, Stephen Constantine, and Stefan Tarkovic, it was chairman and Indian legend IM Vijayan’s “strong recommendation" that tipped the scales. According to the AIFF’s report, Jamil’s teams are famed for their defensive muscle— “known to create teams that are hard to score against"—while his style is “easy for the players to adapt."

Jamil’s track record is the stuff of underdog legend. He holds an AFC pro coaching license since 2015, has managed more than 200 I-League matches, and masterminded Aizawl FC’s fairytale I-League title in 2017, edging out giants like Mohun Bagan. In the ISL, he guided NorthEast United FC and Jamshedpur, both budget-conscious squads, straight into the semifinals.

But every story has its doubters. “At Mohun Bagan and East Bengal… he was never really successful. The question is whether he can manage the egos (in the national team dressing room) or get rid of the egos," wondered Dempo’s technical director Pradhyum Reddy. Others voiced concerns about Jamil’s limited international exposure: “From a technical point of view, it’s not the best appointment," Reddy added.

Still, circumstances and sentiment might be on Jamil’s side, with the AIFF’s finances reportedly stretched and a domestic touch deemed prudent. “At times like these, hiring an experienced Indian coach makes perfect sense," summed up an AIFF member.

Indian football fans, mark your calendars: Jamil’s India faces Tajikistan on August 29, Iran on September 1, and Afghanistan on September 4 in the CAFA Nations Cup, followed by Asian Cup qualifier showdowns with Singapore and Bangladesh. The nation now waits—can “Khalid bhai" turn familiar grit into continental glory?

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First Published:

August 02, 2025, 11:59 IST

News sports » football Khalid Jamil Becomes First Full-Time Indian Head Coach Of National Football Team Since 2005

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