New Delhi: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday wielded the axe on India’s football head coach following a torrid campaign in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
AIFF’s decision to sack Stimac ends his five-year tenure with the senior national men’s football team. The Croatian was appointed as the head coach in 2019 and was granted an extension last year by the Indian football body.
Stimac’s sacking comes in the wake of India’s World Cup qualifying campaign, which ended with a 1-2 defeat against Qatar in their final second-round match.
The Blue Tigers’ failure to reach the third round of World Cup qualifiers proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Stimac.
“Noting the disappointing outcome of the Senior Men’s National Team’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification campaign, the members unanimously agreed that a new Head Coach would be best placed to take the team forward,” the AIFF said in a statement.
“A notice of termination has been issued to Mr. Stimac by the AIFF Secretariat, and he stands relieved of his obligations with immediate effect.”
Stimac’s tenure ends on a sour note
The 56-year-old featured at the 1998 World Cup, during which Croatia reached the semi-final.
He took the reigns of the Blue Tigers in 2019, after the departure of Stephen Constantine.
Under his leadership, India won four major trophies, including two SAFF Championships, one Intercontinental Cup and a Tri-Nations Series.
India played 53 matches under Stimac and lost more than they won. India, under the coaching of the Croatian, lost 20, won 19 and drew 14 for a 35.8%-win record. During his tenure, the Blue Tigers scored 71 goals scored and conceded 76.
India’s World Cup qualifying campaign was nothing less than a rollercoaster of a ride. The Blue Tigers started off with a stunning win against Kuwait away from home but endured two shocking outings against Afghanistan, mustering only one point out of a possible six. India then drew against Kuwait at home in Sunil Chhetri’s farewll game and and lost to Qatar 1-2 in controversial fashion to finish their campaign with a total of five points.
Stimac had earlier claimed he would quit if India didn’t reach the third round.
The Blue Tigers’ failure to reach the third round of World Cup qualifiers proved to be the final nail in the coffin for Stimac. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
