Sjoerd Marijne has been reappointed as the chief coach of the Indian women's hockey team, marking his return after a successful stint that ended five years ago. Hockey India confirmed the appointment of the Dutch tactician, who is remembered for guiding the team to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This was a significant achievement, marking only the team's second appearance at the Olympics in over 36 years.
Marijne steps into the role vacated by Harendra Singh, who resigned in December 2025 following underwhelming results and allegations of a "high-handed coaching approach". The 51-year-old Marijne, who was associated with the team from 2017 to 2021, brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record. During his previous tenure, India broke into the top 10 of the world rankings. He also led the team to the Hockey World League semi-finals in 2017 and secured silver medals at the 2018 Women's Asian Champions Trophy and the Asian Games in Jakarta. In 2019, India qualified for the Tokyo Olympics under his guidance, defeating the United States 6-5 on aggregate in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers.
"It's great to be back," Marijne said, expressing his enthusiasm. "After 4.5 years, I return with fresh energy and a clear vision to support the team's growth and help the players achieve their full potential on the world stage". He is set to arrive in India on January 14, with the national coaching camp beginning on January 19 in SAI, Bengaluru.
To support Marijne, Matias Vila has been appointed as analytical coach. Vila, a former Argentina midfielder, represented his country at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and has been involved in coaching for over two decades. Additionally, Wayne Lombard returns as scientific advisor and head of athletic performance, supported by Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila as scientific advisors.
Marijne's immediate focus will be on the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14. Hockey India President Dr. Dilip Tirkey emphasized the importance of fitness and timely planning. "Emphasis has been laid on the fitness of the team, which was one of the key reasons for the Indian women's historic performance in Tokyo," Tirkey said. "We look forward to a fruitful stint".
The Indian women's hockey team has faced a difficult transition phase since the Tokyo Olympics. They secured a silver medal at the Women's Asia Cup in 2025. However, they were relegated to the Nations Cup after managing just two wins from 16 games in the elite FIH Pro League last year. The team also failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics.
Marijne's return is expected to provide stability and direction to the team. His previous success was built on creating a cohesive unit that celebrated collective success. With the support of a strengthened coaching staff and a renewed focus on fitness, Marijne aims to guide the team back to the top and help them achieve their full potential. The upcoming World Cup Qualifiers will be a crucial test of Marijne's ability to turn the team around and reignite their competitive spirit.
