AIFF to pay Rs. 3.36 crore to ex-coach Igor Stimac
Igor Stimac, the former head coach of India's men's national football team, is set to receive a hefty compensation from the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The agreed-upon sum is $400,000 (approximately Rs. 3.36 crore) after tax. This agreement comes after Stimac's contract was prematurely terminated by the AIFF in June 2024, a year ahead of its scheduled expiration date. Here we present the details.
Stimac's dismissal followed India's World Cup exit
Stimac's dismissal was a direct result of India's early exit from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. This outcome was particularly disappointing given the team had been placed in a relatively favorable draw. The termination sparked a public dispute between Stimac and the AIFF, with the former coach threatening legal action against the federation unless his dues were settled promptly.
AIFF approves substantial compensation for Stimac
As per a report in PTI, the AIFF has approved a payment of $400,000 as compensation to resolve the dispute with Stimac. This is a significant payout for the federation, which has been grappling with financial challenges recently and even reduced its budget for several competitions this year. Prior to this agreement, Stimac had approached football's governing body FIFA last month seeking $920,000 (approximately ₹7.72 crore) as two years' salary from AIFF.
Stimac's tenure and replacement as India's head coach
Stimac, 57, was appointed as India's head coach in 2019 and had his contract extended until the 2026 season by the AIFF. However, this extension was contingent on the team reaching the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup — a milestone yet to be achieved by India. Following Stimac's departure, Manolo Marquez took over as the new coach for the Indian men's team.
