Xavi Rejected by AIFF for India Head Coach Role Due to High Cost

Xavi Wanted to Coach India—But the AIFF Said No

July 24, 2025 – In what might have been a blockbuster move for Indian football, Barcelona and Spain legend Xavi Hernandez reportedly threw his hat in the ring to become the next head coach of the Indian men’s national football team. But the dream pairing was stopped dead in its tracks—not by tactics, but by budget constraints.

According to a report from the Times of India, Xavi personally applied via email for the vacant India job following Manolo Marquez’s departure earlier this month. But before fans could even begin imagining tiki-taka in Trivandrum, the All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s technical committee rejected the application.

💰 Too Big a Name, Too Big a Price Tag

One member of the AIFF technical committee reportedly told TOI:

“Even if it was really him, we knew right away we couldn’t afford someone of Xavi’s stature.”

While Xavi’s interest was seen as genuine, financial feasibility quickly became the deal-breaker. Coaching royalty doesn’t come cheap—especially when you’re dealing with someone who was until recently managing FC Barcelona.

⚽ Who Made the Shortlist Instead?

The AIFF has since moved forward with three more practical candidates, all of whom bring some level of experience in Indian or international football:

• Stephen Constantine – Former India coach known for two successful stints
• Stefan Tarkovic – Former Slovakia head coach with Euro experience
• Khalid Jamil – A seasoned I-League and ISL manager, and the only Indian candidate in the final three

The final decision will be made by the AIFF Executive Committee, but no deadline has been publicly announced.

🔍 India’s Search for a New Manager

The coaching vacancy opened after Manolo Marquez parted ways with the AIFF earlier this month, following a mixed tenure marked by fan optimism but underwhelming results.

Xavi, after leaving Barcelona in May 2025, was reportedly exploring several managerial opportunities—including national teams. His link with India, though short-lived, reflects growing global curiosity about the Indian football project, even if the finances don’t yet match the ambition.

📌 Takeaways:

• Xavi applied to coach the Indian team, but AIFF said no due to high salary demands
• The technical committee has moved forward with three affordable candidates
• Final selection will be made soon by the AIFF executive committee
• The Indian team remains without a head coach ahead of key upcoming fixtures

💬 Should India have taken a financial risk to bring in a name like Xavi? Or is going local the smarter play for long-term growth? Sound off below—because this one’s got fans split like a backline facing Messi.