Sabir Pasha in line for India TD job after leaving CFC

CHENNAI: Syed Sabir Pasha, who parted ways with Chennaiyin FC on Wednesday after an eight-year stint as assistant coach, may join the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as technical director for the senior men’s team. But it all depends whether the former India forward gets the necessary clearance from his employer Indian Bank.
“We’re in touch with Sabir Pasha for some time...He will be a great fit for the technical director’s job. But till he gets permission from his employer, we can’t take the final call on his appointment,” a senior AIFF official told TOI.
It was reliably learnt that Pasha, who has been associated with the Indian Bank for the last 33 years, has been negotiating with his employer and hopefully will get the consent for the job. AIFF technical director’s post has been lying vacant for some time as four previous full-time TDs -- Rob Baan, Scott O'Donnell, Isac Doru and Savio Medeira left their jobs last year. Savio was the last Indian to serve as AIFF’s technical director.
Pasha took the responsibility of Chennai-based Indian Bank after retiring from professional football. He got his AFC ‘A’ license after completing the course in Japan in 2010 and two years later was appointed the head coach of the Tamil Nadu football team for the Santosh Trophy. He proved his worth as head coach, taking Tamil Nadu to the final where they lost to Services.
The former international also handled responsibilities of a manager at the AIFF Elite Academy in 2013. The Elite Academy, which was a joint initiative by the AIFF and FIFA, worked on development of youth football in the country. Pasha joined CFC in 2016 and has helped the team unearth quite a few good Indian players. The former Indian forward also served as CFC’s interim manager for four ISL games in Feb. 2022. Currently he was working under German coach Thomas Brdaric.
“Eight long and great years with this prestigious club was amazing. I thank the owners as well as the management in this regard for trusting me and allowing me to work for such a long time,” Pasha said.