Indian women’s football’s freefall: Five coaches in five years, another one loading

New Delhi: Thomas Dennerby stepped down as head coach of the Indian women’s team after the Paris Olympics qualifiers, ending a two-year stint from 2021 to 2023. What followed was a revolving door: Langam Chaoba Devi (Jan–Sept 2024), Santosh Kashyap (Sept 2024–Jan 2025) and Crispin Chhetri (Jan 2025–Jan 2026). There were also interim stints for Suren Chhetri and Joakim Alexandersson, underlining the instability.

Last year, despite leading India to their first AFC Women's Asia Cup qualification, on merit, in 23 years, Crispin was demoted and Amelia Valverde was roped in by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).




At the continental competition in Australia, India lost all three of their matches: 1-2 vs Vietnam, 0-11 against Japan and desperately needing a win, 1-3 vs Chinese Taipei.

In the aftermath, a lot of soul-searching has begun. As with most football introspections, it has started with the axe falling on the coach Valverde.

AIFF technical committee has recommended that Valverde's contract not be renewed. Instead, they've recommended looking at Indian options -- Anthony Andrews (of East Bengal) and ex-coach Crispin Chhetri -- as two main contenders.

TimesofIndia.com has learnt that the appointment is imminent with Crispin expected to get the nod in the short run.

However, if giving coaches continuity was paramount, AIFF has failed to achieve that. Questions must also be asked of the Technical Committee over their decision-making with these stop-gap solutions.

Costa Rican Valverde came with an impressive CV and experience at both country and club. However, it is the manner of appointment that didn't sit well with most, including the players. She had all of six weeks to link up with the players and bring in her system.

A technical committee member felt the six weeks were enough time for Valverde to make a difference, especially considering her credentials. But the constant change in strategy and the demoralising loss to Japan proved crucial in their decision not to continue with her.

Amid off-the-field troubles such as irregular domestic league and haphazardly-arranged friendlies, this felt more like a hopeful punt than a thought-through decision. That hail mary didn't materialise as those within AIFF expected.

"After the team played and didn’t qualify for the next stage, questions must be asked and answers sought from those responsible for the series of blunders concerning the team as it has caused huge embarrassment to the country,” wrote AIFF Executive Committee and Women's Football Committee member Valanka Alemao in an email to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.

“The technical committee cleared the appointments without calling for any list of prospective candidates to be prepared or advertised, as it happened while choosing the coach for the women’s team without any knowledge of the executive committee.

"Where was the need to bring in someone so close to the tournament, and what was the cost of payments to all three,” asked Valanka.



Right before the tournament began, another controversy hit when the wrong-sized kits were supplied to the squad and the coaching staff. Last-ditch effort was put and kits were arranged through a local vendor. AIFF has initiated an investigation into that fiasco.

“Two days before the first match, the players had to ensure bizarre shocks. Questions must be raised and those who are responsible for such blunders that have brought shame to the nation must be taken to task,” added Valanka.

Curiously, East Bengal's Anthony Andrews, however, hasn't been given the job despite a strong CV. The AFC 'A' license holder, Andrews took Gokulam Kerala to consecutive Indian Women's League (IWL) titles and East Bengal won the title last season under him. He was considered as an option after Dennerby's exit in 2023 but it didn't materialise.

What sits against both Crispin Chhetri and Anthony Andrews, however, is the fact that neither have a AFC Pro coaching license.

Amid this renewed sentiment towards Indian coaches, the fact that the U-17 and U-20 teams are helmed by foreigners cannot be ignored. Ex-Italy international Pamela Conti will be responsible for India U-17 side at the Asian Cup in May. Swede Joakim Alexandersson is the coach of the U-20 team and will lead at the Women's Asia Cup in April.

India's next steps will be the FIFA International window in April - with matches against Australia, Malawi and Kenya - and the SAFF Women’s Championship in June.

But, as things stand, India women's football team are no better placed than where they were last year.
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