Nidhish Waghmare
A bizarre twist has emerged in Indian football as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) reportedly received a fake job application for the head coach position — allegedly from none other than Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez. But as it turns out, the email may have been the work of a 19-year-old prankster.
According to reports, the teenager created a fake email ID, [email protected], and sent a forged application to the AIFF posing as Xavi. Surprisingly, AIFF’s national team director Subrata Paul confirmed to the Times of India (TOI) that they received an email application under Xavi’s name. A new video circulating on X (formerly Twitter) shows the alleged email, further fueling speculation.
Paul was quoted by TOI as saying, “Yes, Xavi’s name was there. The application was emailed to the AIFF.” While the federation reportedly turned down the application citing affordability issues, Spanish and European media claim that Xavi never applied for the job. Some reports even suggest AIFF may have used his name deliberately to draw attention to the vacant role.
Marquez’s Short-Lived Tenure Adds Pressure on AIFF
This controversy unfolds after the departure of Spaniard Manolo Marquez, who had a short-lived tenure as India’s head coach. Appointed in July last year, Marquez managed just eight matches, securing a single win — a friendly against Maldives — before parting ways with the federation. Despite a successful domestic record with FC Goa and Hyderabad FC, including an ISL trophy and nurturing young talents, Marquez couldn’t replicate that success with the national team. His stint also saw back-to-back losses to Thailand and Hong Kong.
Top Names in the Mix as AIFF Searches for New Coach
The AIFF is now in search of a new coach, with TOI reporting applications from several notable names including former India manager Stephen Constantine, Dutchman Eelco Schattorie, Liverpool legend Harry Kewell, Slovakian coach Stefan Tarkovic, Khalid Jamil, Kibu Vicuna, and ex-Blackburn Rovers boss Steve Kean.
As the search continues, the Xavi episode has left Indian football fans scratching their heads — was it a genuine mistake, or an embarrassing ploy gone wrong?
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