Panaji: Last week, when the All India Football Federation ( AIFF ) terminated Igor Stimac ’s services, the head coach asked team manager Velu Dhalayamani to form a WhatsApp group, comprising all players who had represented the country under the Croat during the last five years. About 100-odd footballers were part of the group. Stimac first posted a farewell message and then the players responded.
“I don’t want to read out the messages because I’ll start crying,” the coach told reporters during his last media interaction. Turns out not every player meant what they said on the group. According to the AIFF, several players had brought their concern regarding Stimac ’s “coaching style and tactics” to the attention of the federation on multiple occasions, before he was eventually sacked.
“Despite all the support, the coach always sought to deflect blame and according to him everything and everyone else was wrong and responsible for any given situation, except himself,” the AIFF said in a statement on Monday, refuting several points that Stimac had made during his press conference last week. “This sentiment was also shared by various players who had brought their concerns regarding Stimac’s coaching style and tactics to the attention of the AIFF on multiple occasions. His selection of support staff had also gone unquestioned and was the subject of disquiet among many players.
” The AIFF also said they were shocked to note Stimac’s dependence on an astrolo.
