Constantine takes temporary charge of U17 colts, new technical director appointed

by Chittu Shetty February 18, 2017

With months left for U-17 World Cup the Indian football fraternity seems to be in a temporary dilemma witnessing a few change in personnel

After the controversial departure of U-17 Coach Nicolai Adams last month the position has been left open ever since. With Just months left for the all important U17 World cup, the Indian squad are without a coach while the board has put out ads inviting new applications.

Late last week, AIFF revealed that Technical Committee chairman Bhaichung Bhutia and Scouting head Abhishek Yadav had been drafted in to aid the team’s preparation and development. “We are forming two committees [to select the new coach],” said AIFF general secretary Kushal Das. “One is the AIFF Advisory Committee which shall comprise of Bhaichung Bhutia (Chairman, Technical Committee of the AIFF), Abhishek Yadav (COO, India Under-17 team), Kishore Taid (Head of Strategic Planning, AIFF),  and myself.”

For now, Stephen Constantine, the Indian National team coach will take charge of the U17 team on an interim basis until the AIFF has appointed a successor to Nicolai Adam. The Englishman has his task cut-out with 2019 Asian Cup Qualifiers in March and the responsibilities of U17 team for the rapidly approaching U17 World Cup later this year.

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AIFF technical director Scott O’Donnell also resigned from his post citing family reasons for his departure. The former Cambodia coach spent five years at the AIFF, first as director of the academies and coach education, then as technical director, succeeding Dutchman Rob Baan. Former India Assistant coach, Savio Madeira will be the new Technical director of the board. Madeira has worked at Salgaocar for 17 years while also being India’s Assistant coach from 2008 to 2011.

FootballCounter Take

While the departure of Nicolai Adams under the ill-fated circumstances has left a void in the coaching job, the board needs to take immediate decision for the replacement with the world cup closing in as Constantine himself has a heavy task of guiding the Indian National team through the 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers, as failing which he could see his tenure have an early end.