Igor Stimac Interview - Indian football team coach opens up about SAFF Victory, Coach Difficulties and players

Anant Tyagi interacts with Indian Football team Igor Stimac. Source YouTube - Anant Tyagi

Khel India brings you a special piece on Sunday, on Igor Stimac's Interview with renowned sports journalist Anant Tyagi. The Croatian, spending much-needed time with his family, has pointed out important things in his interviews. This article takes you through all of them.

In his interview with Anant Tyagi, Igor Stimac talks about his tenure in India, The Referee, and shares his opinion on how Indian football has a long way to go to be the best. the interview also has Stimac appealing to like-minded coaches to support him in his efforts to bring India back to its former glory.

"Most proud of SAFF Cup Victory" Stimac on which tournament he enjoyed winning

Anant Tyagi starts off by asking the coach which tournament he enjoyed winning, the most. Stimac responded by saying "The SAFF tournament because it was the last." He explained how difficult it was, with the suspensions in mind. Stimac also opened up about the reasons why he got agitated and had to be sent off midway through the game. "I was into the tournament. The referees always put India off the pitch. Decisions merely came in our favour. The anger accumulated," he said. He couldn't tolerate the fact that the team got used to their decisions and Stimac had to intervene with the fourth officials. In the semi-final vs Lebanon, even after his staff insist that he doesn't get sent off, Stimac explained, "The intensity of the players needs to be maintained, we had prepared really well for it. This instance how passionate and straightforward the Croat wants to be, and channelling that fighting spirit towards his team would be his main responsibility.

Talking about responsibilities as a coach, Stimac revealed details on the plight of Indian Coaches. 

Out of the three trophies India has won, Stimac enjoyed winning the SAFF Cup the most. Source - Sportstar

"Coaches earn very little here, there needs to be investment"

Stimac's insights on coaching in India are quite interesting. "The coaches here are good, with the advent of the Indian Super League," he said. But Stimac goes on to explain how difficult it is for the Indian coaches. They face difficulties in getting accreditations, working with players and earning to put food on the table. Stimac revealed, "Indian coaches earn only a quarter of the average salary earned by a coach in a Top 10 Asian team." He kept on repeating that statement to Tyagi, who seems surprised by it. 

This revelation by Stimac hopefully will be known to the higher-ups, and this needs to be taken up seriously. Coaches here have huge responsibilities, and it is only fair that they deserve more than what they get.

Stimac's View on Grassroot System in India

the interview also had Stimac emphasise nurturing young talent and creating a strong foundation for Indian football. He expressed his belief that the future of Indian football lies in developing and honing the skills of young players. Stimac stressed the importance of providing them with the right training and opportunities to grow and succeed. Another significant aspect of the interview was Stimac's approach to playing a possession-based style of football. He explained that his aim is to create a team that is comfortable on the ball, capable of making intelligent decisions, and focused on controlling the game. Stimac believes that this style of play not only leads to better results on the field but also raises the profile of Indian football internationally.

Importance of Domestic Leagues

Furthermore, Stimac highlighted the importance of a strong domestic league to support the growth of Indian football. He expressed his desire to work closely with club coaches and create a system that allows young players to develop their skills and eventually make it to the national team. "the pool of players is low. the league needs to have 20 teams instead of 12. The league needs to run for a year," he said. He also emphasised how difficult it is for him to bring players back to normal from disappointments they face in club matches.  Stimac believes that a strong domestic league will provide a platform for players to showcase their abilities and compete at a high level.

Stimac also had words about foreign players. "they are a mixed bag," he said. "They are good because they increase the standards of the quality of domestic players. the disadvantage, in his words, is "the same foreign players would not be in the national team, therefore the domestic players find it difficult to play." Stimac's clear explanation of this concern makes one think about the necessity of foreign players.

ISL Coaches from last season - Source - Indian Super League

Need For Support From the Public, Media and Sponsors.  

In addition to developing talent and focusing on playing style, Stimac also stressed the need for a strong and unified support system for the team. He emphasized the importance of positive fan support, constructive media coverage, and reliable sponsors. Stimac believes that creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere around the team will foster a sense of unity, pride, and motivation.

Overall, Stimac's interview revealed his passion for Indian football and his dedication to elevating its status. Through his focus on youth development, possession-based play, and a strong support system, Stimac aims to bring about a positive change in Indian football and establish India as a competitive force in international football.

Igor Stimac calls for support from the Public, Media and Sponsors - Source Twitter @WestBlockBlues