Andrews, Chettri in fray for women’s coach job after AIFF says no to Valverde contract extension

Panaji: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) demoted an Indian coach in the belief that a foreigner was better suited to guide the senior national team at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. After finishing the campaign without a point in Australia, the technical committee has now recommended a domestic coach.

Chaired by former India captain IM Vijayan, the technical committee has asked the federation not to offer a contract extension to Amelia Valverde, given the “disappointing performances” at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, where India lost all three group-stage games, including a heavy 11-0 drubbing at the hands of eventual champions Japan.

According to sources, the committee has recommended Anthony Andrews (East Bengal) and Crispin Chettri, former coach of the national team, for the top job.

“We expected more from Valverde,” a member of the technical committee told TOI after its meeting on Tuesday. “She is an experienced coach and was brought in specifically to help India at the Asian Cup. But the performance was disappointing. India should have at least managed a draw.”

The technical committee discussed how Valverde used three different formations for the group-stage games, without a positive result against Vietnam, and the decisive clash against Chinese Taipei. In fact, to make a point, the technical team referenced Manchester United where Ruben Amorim’s rigid 3-4-2-1 was ditched by his successor Michael Carrick, paving the way for plenty of positivity and better results.

Even if Valverde had got the nod from the technical committee, it would have been difficult to convince the Costa Rican to continue without a pay hike. She was also in favour of a long-term contract, according to sources.

Valverde, who took Costa Rica twice to the FIFA World Cup, was appointed on a short-term two-month contract and allowed to bring in two foreign assistants of her choice for the continental showpiece where six World Cup spots were on offer.

With Valverde out of the equation, the technical committee has suggested the appointment of an Indian with Chettri, who was relegated to the assistant’s role after Valverde’s arrival, and East Bengal’s Andrews the leading choices.

While Chettri ensured India’s qualification to the Asian Cup with a famous win against hosts Thailand, Andrews has won multiple Indian Women’s League (IWL) titles with Gokulam Kerala and East Bengal. He also oversaw the Kolkata giants’ triumph at the inaugural SAFF Women’s Club Championship last year.

Both, however, do not have AFC Pro coaching license.

The coach will be initially in place for the FIFA Series in April, where India will face Asian Cup runners-up Australia, Malawi, and hosts Kenya, and later at the SAFF Championship in Goa.

“We have to seek clarity whether Pro license is a must for these two tournaments,” said another official.