The telltale signs were there for everyone to see after the match. A round of applause from the Indian players for the coach, followed by warm handshakes.
A few minutes later, Wim Koevermans confirmed what was being speculated for quite a few days -that he would not continue as the national team’s head coach.
Putting rest to speculation surrounding his future, Koevermans declared that he was not continuing as coach of the Indian football team.
“This was my last match as the coach of the national team and I will not be taking up the post of AIFF’s Technical Director for private reasons,” he announced after the match.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my stint and stay in India. It was a nice gesture by the players,” he referred to the guard of honour which the players gave to Koevermans at the end of the match.
Koevermans’ contract with AIFF ends on October 31.
“When I took charge I was told to change the style of play and there has been a huge improvement on that front. We created chances in every match that we played and played some good football. But that has not been enough,” he stated. “I never like losing. The boys stayed so committed on the ground today. But it was visible that they had better players in almost every position.” he said.
“We gave them a very tough game and could have avoided conceding the first and the third goals. But that’s football,” he added in reference to India’s match against Palestine.
Winning the Nehru Cup in 2012 itself could be the highlight of Koevermans’ two-year stint, but it has not been a smooth sailing since then.
The team failed to qualify for the 2013 AFC Challenge Cup and lost the SAFF Cup final to Afghanistan.
Koevermans, who was member of the Dutch national squad that won the 1988 European Championship, stressed on the need of a youth development programmes in the country
. “There needs to be more focus on youth and youth competitions. The U-19 competition should be stretched for the whole year and there should also be meets for the under-15s and under-17s.” he said.
“We also need to bring about improvement in the I-League. If that does not happen, we will stay put at a certain level. Hopefully, the Indian Super League will come good for the football in the country,” said Koevermans.
Source: The Shillong Times
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