Xavi’s Surprise Application for India Job Rejected Due to High Costs

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is on the hunt for a new head coach for the national team, and during their screening of applicants, they got quite the shock — a job application from none other than Xavi Hernandez. Yes, that Xavi — the former Barcelona maestro and ex-coach of the Spanish giants.

According to a Times of India report, Xavi threw his hat into the ring following Manolo Marquez’s exit earlier this month. His name appeared alongside several others, including former India head coach Stephen Constantine, ex-Liverpool player Harry Kewell, and Khalid Jamil, who made history by becoming the first Indian head coach to manage a team full-time in the Indian Super League. 

What really raised eyebrows wasn’t just the presence of Xavi’s name, but the fact that the email came directly from his personal account. However, the application lacked some of the usual details — notably, the contact number field was left blank. AIFF’s national team director, Subrata Paul, confirmed the story to TOI, saying, “It’s correct that Xavi’s name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF.” 

Despite the buzz around the Barcelona legend’s interest, things didn’t progress too far. It turns out that while the thought of Xavi managing India was exciting, the financial aspect quickly became a deal-breaker. A member of the AIFF’s technical committee admitted, “Even if Xavi was genuinely interested in Indian football and could be convinced to take up the job, we would need a lot of money.” 

Over the years, Xavi has expressed his interest in Indian football. In past interviews, he’s mentioned following the game in the country, largely because of the growing presence of Spanish coaches in the Indian football scene. That background added a touch of credibility to his application — but sadly, it wasn’t enough to push it past the practical hurdles. 

The timing of this coaching search is particularly crucial. Indian football is going through a period of uncertainty, and the national team’s direction post-Marquez remains unclear. With the Indian Super League’s structure also being debated, the need for a strong, stable head coach is vital. Though Xavi’s candidacy brought a brief moment of excitement, the AIFF seems to be steering toward more realistic options. For now, Indian fans will have to keep dreaming about big-name appointments.  

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