Hidalgo

New Delhi: Legendary French coach Michel Hidalgo and former national coach of Republic of Ireland, Brian Kerr are among 30 foreign coaches who have expressed their desire to coach the Indian team.

According to an All India Football Federation (AIFF) press release, which also announced the removal of Syed Nayeemuddin officially, the federation has received applications from coaches who have been “involved in coaching national teams or top level clubs in Europe, South America and Africa.”

Stating that “AIFF has decided to release Nayeemuddin as their chief coach”, general secretary Alberto Colaco said: “The AIFF has already written to Fifa requesting them to recommend a new coach for the Indian team.”

Hidalgo’s application for the Indian job comes as a surprise. The73-year-old coach rose to fame in 1984 when he coached Platini and company to European Cup triumph.

Other than Hidalgo and Kerr, other prominent coaches to have applied in the last few days are Jose Mario Oiguin (former Argentina World Cupper), Pedrag Jurrig (Bosnia), Andre Gusset (Switzerland), Acacio Alfredo Casimiro (Portugal), Peter Obermaier (Germany) and Jason Withe (England).