New Delhi: Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia is seriously considering ending his international career since he is not able to cope with recurring injuries. He dropped hints Thursday that he might even take a call on his future in the next couple of days.
The immediate provocation for Bhutia’s decision is his recurring calf muscle strain that will not allow him to go to England with the under-23 team to play three friendlies, including one against arch-rivals Pakistan.
Bhutia, who was dropped from the senior team, was among the 32 probables for the English tour.
Bhutia, who has 43 goals from 109 international caps, has been out of the playing eleven for the major part of India’s Asian Cup campaign in Qatar and new coach Armando Colaco has more or less made it clear that the former India captain does not fit in his scheme of things.
Though Bhutia Thursday joined the under-23 camp at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurgaon under coach Sukhwinder Singh, he admitted that he was still dogged by the niggles and it’s time he took a call on his future.
“I will take a call (whether to continue) in the next two-three days,” said Bhutia.
Bhutia, however, said that even if he is picked for the England tour, he would be available for the first two matches only as he would like to get back home to see his club Sikkim United play their Federation Cup qualifier against ONGC on the day (Sep 9) India play their last match in England against Scotland Under-21. The other two matches are against Pakistan (Sep 3) and England under-23 (Sep 6).
“I will come back by September 9, probably after the first two matches,” said Bhutia.
While saying that it’s upto the All India Football Federation of India (AIFF) to decide whether to hire an Indian or a foreigner for the national team coach’s post, 35-year-old Bhutia insisted current coach Armando Colaco should be given enough time to bring in a system.
“You cannot have someone for two or four months. Most of our boys come from the same system but still one needs time,” he said here today.
Armando was appointed on an interim basis in May. Apart from his commitment to Sikkim United, what is keeping Bhutia busy these days is his project – Baichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) – which started operations in December last year and has over 250 childrens enrolled for their regular programmes across four centres in the NCR. “Life has been hectic and demanding, but I am really enjoying,” he said.
BBFS was started in association with Portuguese academy Football By Carlos Queiroz (FBCQ). (Agencies)