New Delhi: Thomas Dennerby resigned as head coach of the Indian women’s team after the Paris Olympics qualifiers, ending a two-year tenure from 2021 to 2023. (January 2025–January 2026). There were also interim positions for Soren Chhetri and Joachim Alexandersson, indicating 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 joined by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
In the continental competition in Australia, India lost all three of their matches: 1-2 against Vietnam, 0-11 against Japan and in desperate need of a win, 1-3 against Chinese Taipei.A lot of soul searching has started since then. As with most football introspections, it started with the ax falling on coach Valverde.The AIFF technical committee has recommended that Valverde’s contract not be renewed. Instead, he recommends looking at Indian options — Anthony Andrews (of East Bengal) and former coach Crispin Chhetri — as the two main contenders.TimesofIndia.com has learned that the meeting is imminent with Crispin hoping to get approval in the short term.
After the team played and failed to qualify for the next stage, those responsible for the series of blunders involving the team should be questioned and asked for answers as it has brought a lot of embarrassment to the country.
Valanka Alemav Member of AIFF Executive Committee and Women’s Football Committee
However, if continuity for the coach was paramount, the AIFF has failed to achieve it. Questions should also be asked of the technical committee about decision-making with these stop-gap solutions.Costa Rican Valverde comes with an impressive CV and experience in both country and club. However, this is a method of placement that has not gone down well with many, including the players. He had all of six weeks to connect with the players and get them into his system.A member of the technical committee felt that six weeks was sufficient time for Valverde to consider his credentials in particular. But the constant change in strategy and the demoralizing losses suffered by Japan proved crucial in their decision not to continue with them.
Two days before the first match, the players had to make sure of the strange shocks. Questions should be raised and those responsible for such mistakes that shame the nation should be brought to justice.
Valanka Alemau
Amidst off-field woes like an illegal domestic league and random friendlies, it felt more like optimism than a thought-out decision. That Hail Mary did not materialize as expected by those within the AIFF.“After the team played and failed to qualify for the next stage, questions should be asked and answers sought from those responsible for the series of lapses involving the team as it has brought great shame to the country,” AIFF executive committee and women’s football committee member Valanka Alema wrote in an email to AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey.“The technical committee cleared the appointments without preparing or advertising any list of potential candidates, as was done without the knowledge of the executive committee while selecting the coach of the women’s team. “Where was the need to bring someone in so close to the tournament, and what was the price to pay for all three,” Valanka asked.
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Just before the start of the tournament, another controversy arose when the squad and coaching staff were provided with the wrong size kits. A last ditch effort was made and kits were arranged through a local vendor. AIFF has started an investigation into the lapse.“Two days before the first match, the players had to make sure there were no shocks. Questions should be raised and action should be taken against those who are responsible for mistakes that have embarrassed the nation,” Valanka added.Interestingly, East Bengal’s Anthony Andrews was not given the job despite a strong CV. An AFC ‘A’ license holder, Andrews led Gokulam Kerala to back-to-back Indian Women’s League (IWL) titles and East Bengal won the title under him last season. This was considered as an option after Danerby’s exit in 2023 but did not materialise.However, what works against both Crispin Chhetri and Anthony Andrews is that neither of them have an AFC Pro Coaching License.Amid this renewed sentiment towards Indian coaches, the fact that the U-17 and U-20 teams are led by foreigners cannot be overlooked. Former Italy international Pamela Conti will lead the India U-17 team in the Asian Cup in May. Sweden’s Joakim Alexandersson is the coach of the Under-20 team and will lead 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, the Indian women’s football team is no better than where it was last year.
