National coach Koevarmans may take over as technical director

New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) National coach Wim Koevarmans may take over as the technical director of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) replacing his compatriot Rob Baan and is expected to play a key role in selection of a new coach.

Koevarmans, who is paid 17,000 euros per month, took over as the India coach in 2012 and his only success was the Nehru Cup triumph in 2012. Under him India, 2008 AFC Challenge Cup champions, failed to qualify for the 2014 edition and lost the 2013 SAFF Cup final to Afghanistan.

The Dutchman’s last assignment as the chief coach will be the Incheon Asian Games (Sep 19-Oct 4) and the contract is highly unlikely to be extended unless the team puts up an incredible performance.

AIFF sources told IANS that Koevarmans has a good technical knowledge the federation wants to promote him as the techincal director.

Koevarmans, who had a long chat with AIFF secretary general Kushal Das in Bangalore during the national camp before the under-23 team left for the exposure trip to Czech Republic. Koevarmans is likely to meet the AIFF top brass in Bangalore during the two friendlies, slated for Aug 17 and Aug 20, against Pakistan.

The AIFF is now planning to promote the 54-year-old Koevarmans as the technical director as Baan is unlikely to renew his contract that ends in December.

“It is highly unlikely that Koevarmans’s contract as the national coach will be extended since he hasn’t produced any good result. But he has a very technical knowledge and he can be used well as a technical director,” a top official in the AIFF told IANS.

Koevarmans, a former Dutch international, has played under legendary coach Rinus Michels. He was former youth coach of the Netherlands before taking over as the high performance director of Ireland.

The post of India’s chief coach was his first stint with any senior national team. In fact it was Baan, who had recommended his name for the post of India coach.