Kolkata: National football chief coach Wim Koevermans’ role has come in for a sharp criticsm as India lost their stronghold in the SAFF Championshp after being beaten by Afghanistan in the final.
Olympian PK Banerjee, under whose regime as manager and technical director India had won the title in 2005, said on Thursday that the Dutchman should come under scrutiny after Wednesday’s defeat.
Taking a dig at the foreign coach, the former India captainsaid: “He’s been around for more than a year and is paid handsome salary. His role should come under scrutiny.”
Asked whether Koever-mans should be replaced, Banerjee said: “Why should I give an opinion on somebody who’s appointed by the federation. The AIFF (All India Football Federation) should look into it.”
Dismayed at India’s show, Banerjee said: “During our time (2005) when (Syed) Nayeemuddin was the coach and (Bhaichung) Bhutia the captain, we had won the title without conceding a goal.”
Slamming the Indian players, Banerjee further said: “They never looked serious and did not have the heart for a big match. We were more passionate about our game.”
Another India great, Chuni Goswami, questioned the coach’s strategy to leave out India captain Sunil Chettri from the starting XI.
“It was a bad decision that backfired in the end. The coach and the entire team should be held responsible… It was unfortunate to see India go down like this.”
Known for his tongue-in-cheek comments, former India coach Nayeemuddin was forthright as usual and said: “I feel Wim should resign immediately. The need of the hour is an Indian coach and he should get all the facilities given to a foreign coach.
“In the last seven years, the federation has spent Rs 7 crores on foreign coaches. I wish they had similar faith in Indian coaches,” the Drona-charya awardee, who won SAFF titles in 1997 and 2005 said. (PTI)