Xavi's head coach application not genuine, AIFF says hours after IM Vijayan's remarks

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Saturday clarified that the email application purportedly sent by Xavi Hernandez for the role of head coach of the Indian national team is not genuine, and its authenticity could not be verified.

"The AIFF received an email furnishing the applications from Spanish coaches Pep Guardiola and Xavi Hernández. The authenticity of their applications could not be confirmed, and it has since emerged that the email applications were not genuine," India's top football governing body said in a statement. 

AIFF's response came hours after its technical committee chairperson, I M Vijayan, said that the email received under Xavi's name has been given for verification. Speaking to Manorama News, he further stated that if Xavi agrees to the role, he will be bought at any cost.

The AIFF further said that three candidates had been shortlisted for the role of head coach from a pool of ten, given the urgency of the national team's upcoming fixtures. The final decision will be made by the Executive Committee, and the AIFF has said it will provide additional names if required.

It added that the shortlisted candidates were selected based on their experience with Indian players and familiarity with the Asian football ecosystem.

The AIFF added that apart from the three shortlisted candidates, the remaining applications would be considered for long-term strategic roles in the future. "Given the immediate needs of the national team, it is advisable to recommend three coaches from the shortlisted pool for final consideration. Other prominent applicants, many of whom are highly qualified international coaches, will be taken into account for long-term strategic roles in the future," I M Vijayan said. 

The Indian men's football team is without a manager since the AIFF parted ways with Manolo Marquez. Recently, the Indian men's team slipped to a nine-year low of 133 in the FIFA rankings.