Igor Stimac breaks silence after India dismissal: He didn’t expect such a strong bond

Former India head coach Igor Stimac has finally spoken out after his sudden dismissal from the national team managerial duties via a post on his official social media account. In his message, the Croatian thanked Indian football fans and the team management for their support throughout his struggle-filled 5-year tenure with the team. After an important virtual meeting between the leadership of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) on June 17, the board took the decision to close Stimac’s chapter with the Indian team after a series of poor performances.

Igor Stimac’s tenure as head coach of the Indian national football team has been marked by controversy and mixed results. Appointed in 2019, Stimac has been criticized for his tactical decisions, team selection and in-game management. Despite some notable successes, such as winning three titles in 2023, including the SAFF Championship and the Intercontinental Cup, his overall performance has been questioned by fans and pundits alike. Over these 5 years, the Indian team has demonstrated a consistent inability to produce effective results in major competitions like the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the Asia Cup.

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In his post, Stimac reflected on the bond he shares with Indian football fans and how he is extremely proud of it.

“To all Indian football fans and my Blue Tigers. It has been an honor to serve you over the past 5 years. I did not expect to form such a strong bond with this country and invest so much personally when I first joined you all I’m proud of every player and team member together,” Stimac’s message said.

THE The AIFF is already looking for a new name by posting a job invitation on their social media, where they have clearly stated the criteria they are specifically looking for in a head coach.