Football: Khalid Jamil named India coach - List of national team managers in the 21st century

With Khalid Jamil’s appointment as the new head coach of the Indian men’s national football team, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has brought back an Indian at the helm after over a decade. Jamil becomes the first Indian head coach since Savio Medeira in 2011–12 and joins an exclusive list of Indians to have led the national side in the 21st century.Jamil’s appointment was confirmed by the AIFF on Friday following a meeting of the federation's Technical Committee. He was selected from a final shortlist that included former India coach Stephen Constantine and Slovakian manager Stefan Tarkovic. The panel, which included national team director Subrata Paul, emphasised the importance of cultural familiarity and domestic experience, which was the criterion that tilted the decision in Jamil’s favour.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
His appointment comes after the departure of Spaniard Manolo Márquez, who stepped down last month following a winless year in charge. Márquez had taken over from Igor Štimac, whose five-year term ended after India failed to make significant progress in World Cup qualifying and regional tournaments.Jamil, a former India international midfielder, has earned praise in recent years for his work in the I-League and Indian Super League (ISL), most notably leading Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title in 2017. His ability to extract the best out of domestic talent and his deep understanding of the Indian football ecosystem were key factors in his selection.With the national team set for a period of rebuilding, Jamil's task will be to stabilise performances, integrate the next generation of talent, and lead India into the 2026 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers with a renewed sense of belief.Here’s a list of all national team head coaches in the 21st century: