New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) The Executive Committee of the All India Football Federation on Wednesday appointed Igor Stimac as the head coach of the men’s senior national team on a two-year contract.
Stimac has an experience of over 18 years in coaching, structuring, and developing Football and players in Croatia, and internationally.
Welcoming Stimac to Indian Football, Praful Patel, President, All India Football Federation said, 'Igor is the right candidate to coach the Blue Tigers. I welcome him on board. Indian Football is going through a transition, and I am confident his vast experience will guide us to higher echelons'.
As a coach, Mr Stimac’s major achievement was guiding Croatia to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014. During his tenure as the National Coach of Croatia, he handed National Team debuts to the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Ante Rebic, Alen Halilovic, and Ivan Perisic, amongst others.
He also played a pivotal role in developing likes of Dario Srna, Daniel Subasic, Ivan Strinic, Kovacic, Perisic, and other players. His last assignment was with Al-Shahania Club in Qatar.
As a player, he was part the of the Croatia National squad which finished third in the FIFA World Cup France 1998, and a member of the Croatia National squad which qualified for the quarterfinals of the UEFA European Championship 1996 (Euro) in England.
Besides, he was also a part of the Yugoslavia U-19 National Team which won the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 1987.
Stimac’s first assignment will be the Kings Cup in Buriram, Thailand where the Blue Tigers play Curacao in their first match on June 5.
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