Unhappy with India's dismal performance in the first two qualifying matches of the Asian Cup qualifying football tournament, the All India Football Federation on Thursday sacked national team coach Syed Nayeemuddin, manager P K Banerjee, assistant coach Gabriel Joseph and goalkeeping coach Atanu Bhattacharya.
With a view on the team's preparation for the Asian Games in December, the Federation has decided to approach FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation for a suitable foreign coach.
The executive committee of the AIFF had on Wednesday itself indicated that the axe would fall on Nayeemuddin following the team's poor showing in the Asian Cup qualifying matches against Japan and Yemen, who are ranked lower than India in the FIFA rankings.
Also read: AIFF unhappy with Nayeem
The AIFF in a statement said: "Considering the preparation of the Indian team in Asian Games, it was decided to reorganise the technical team of the AIFF and approach FIFA and AFC for a suitable foreign coach."
The Indian team is scheduled to take part in a four-nation tournament in Vancouver, starting July 20, and the players will sweat it out in a one-month camp for the tourney. The AIFF is eager to rope in a foreign coach before that.
Regarding Air India's objection for a replay of the National League Football match with Fransa Pax, the AIFF Executive Commitee decided to refer the issue to its Appeals Committee, which will meet within 10 days and announce their decision.
It was also decided to send the Indian under-20 team, with a few players from the second division National Football League, for the Challenge Cup, the statement added.
