Published on July 25, 2025 | Last Updated on 3 weeks
Barcelona legend Xavi Hernández reportedly applied for the position of head coach of the Indian national football team but was rejected due to the financial demands involved, which were deemed unaffordable by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
The former Barcelona manager, who left the Catalan club at the end of the 2023–24 season, is said to have formally expressed interest in leading the Indian national side. According to Indian media reports, Xavi submitted his application by email as part of a recruitment process that saw the AIFF receive more than 170 applications from across the world.
However, the AIFF’s technical committee quickly ruled out the possibility of appointing Xavi after reviewing the financial terms involved in his proposal. Officials concluded that the salary package and related conditions proposed by the Spaniard were far beyond what the federation could accommodate under its current budget.
As a result, the AIFF proceeded with a shortlist of three final candidates: Khalid Jamil, former India head coach Stephen Constantine, and Slovak tactician Stefan Tarkovic. The governing body is expected to announce the new head coach in the coming days.
Xavi’s interest in the India role comes just months after his departure from Barcelona, where he managed the first team between 2021 and 2024. During his time in charge, he led the club to a La Liga title and a Spanish Super Cup but departed amid financial challenges and a change in club direction under president Joan Laporta.
Although the move never materialised, Xavi’s willingness to consider managing India highlights both his openness to international roles and the growing visibility of Indian football on the global stage.
🗣️ Reactions from Fans and Experts
“So you’re telling me a country’s full football federation couldn’t afford a single person’s contract.” – @FCB_Alex4 (X formerly Twitter)
“Respect to the AIFF for staying realistic, but missing a coach like Xavi could be a long-term regret.” – IndiaFootballDaily
“This shows how far Indian football still has to go in terms of infrastructure and ambition.” – Arjun Menon, Sports Analyst
📩 Do you have an opinion about Xavi applying to coach India? Share it in the comments below.
