Khalid Jamil has officially been appointed as the head coach of the Indian men's football team, marking a significant moment for Indian football. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) made the decision on August 1, 2025, entrusting the former Indian midfielder with the responsibility of leading the national team. This appointment marks the end of a 13-year period since an Indian coach, Savio Medeira, last held the position in 2012. Jamil succeeds Manolo Marquez, whose contract was mutually terminated.
Jamil's journey to this prestigious role is paved with extensive experience in Indian football. He has coached several clubs, including Jamshedpur FC, where he guided the team to the Super Cup semi-final in 2024. His coaching career includes stints with Mumbai FC, Aizawl FC, East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and NorthEast United. Notably, he led Aizawl FC to an I-League title in the 2016-17 season, a historic achievement for a team from Northeast India. In the 2020-21 season, he became the first Indian coach to reach the Indian Super League (ISL) playoffs with NorthEast United. He was later appointed as the first permanent Indian head coach of an ISL club.
The AIFF's decision to appoint Jamil was made after considering several candidates, including former India head coach Stephen Constantine and Slovakia's Stefan Tarkovic. The AIFF's Technical Committee (TC) recommended Jamil, and the Executive Committee (EC) approved the recommendation. Several factors contributed to this decision. Jamil's familiarity with Indian players, gained from his regular involvement in the Indian football landscape, was a key advantage, especially with India's participation in the CAFA Nations Cup 2025 and the AFC Asian Cup Final Round Qualifier matches against Singapore approaching.
Moreover, there was a strong sentiment within the AIFF to prioritize an Indian coach for the senior men's national team. Technical Committee chairperson IM Vijayan, emphasized that India had achieved higher FIFA rankings in the past with Indian coaches like Sukhwinder Singh and Syed Nayeemuddin. Vijayan also highlighted Jamil's achievements, including being named the AIFF Men's Coach of the Year twice.
Jamil's immediate task is to rejuvenate the Indian team, especially after their failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and their modest performance in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifying matches. His first challenge will be the CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Khalid Jamil, born in Kuwait City on April 21, 1977, has a long history with football. He earned 40 international caps for India as a midfielder between 1998 and 2006. His appointment as head coach is not just a personal achievement but also a step forward for Indian football, showing a commitment to trusting and promoting Indian talent in shaping the future of the national team.
