Xavi Hernandez’s India coach bid was rejected by AIFF due to high salary demands. The Barcelona legend was not shortlisted despite initial interest
Xavi Hernandez India coach bid was officially rejected by the All India Football Federation (AIFF), with the Spanish legend’s salary expectations cited as the reason for exclusion.
The AIFF’s technical committee confirmed that Xavi was among the high-profile names applying to lead the Indian national football team. However, his financial demands reportedly exceeded what the federation could accommodate, despite no official figures being released.
Xavi, a former World Cup winner and Barcelona manager, had recently ended his coaching spell at Camp Nou.
His interest in India created excitement among fans, many hopeful he could revolutionize the Blue Tigers with his elite-level experience and tactical brilliance.
Unfortunately, the AIFF deemed the proposal unrealistic, and Xavi’s name was dropped from the final shortlist. An official announcement regarding the selected candidates is expected soon.
While his application has been declined, Xavi’s brief link with Indian football stirred public imagination and underlined his continued global appeal in football management.