Baan to spot new coach: AIFF

After India’s disastrous AFC Challenge Cup campaign ended with a 0-4 loss against North Korea in Kathmandu on Tuesday, the AIFF bosses have decided that technical director Rob Baan will now take a final call in zeroing in on Savio Medeira’s replacement as senior team coach.

India went into the AFC Challenge Cup as defending champions and conceded eight goals in three matches and a dip below 160 in FIFA rankings is certain.

“We don’t have any matches till May 31 so whether Savio Medeira stays or goes is irrelevant now. It’s all about whether AIFF is keen on paying him salary for couple of months or not. That amount isn’t that huge that parent body won’t honour his contract. But certainly, he will not get an extension after this dismal show,” a senior AIFF official, preferring anonymity, told PTI.

AIFF technical director Baan has concentrated more on the junior squad till now but he will be entrusted with greater responsibilities as far as the senior squad is concerned.

“The AIFF has full faith in Rob Baan’s abilities. He will be the man who would decide on a good and affordable foreign replacement. If you look at the standard of Indian coaches, it’s not very encouraging. We certainly need a good foreign coach to take us forward,” he said.