After India's early exit from the Asian Games, Stimac hinted at his intention to continue his stay in India, but only on the condition that he is supported in his vision for the national team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Earlier talking to reporters in Hangzhou, Stimac stated, \u201cI will decide in the next 48 hours sitting down with the right people. They know what I\u2019m looking for. It\u2019s not about money.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about whether are we capable of providing time for the national team to be together and work together. If we want to go higher, I need time to work with my players. I cannot do it without time provided to work with them,\u201d he added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The extension includes an option to automatically extend the contract period by two years in case India qualifies for the next round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In a shocking change, Mahesh Gawli, the assistant coach of the senior men\u2019s team, was appointed as the head coach of the men\u2019s U23 team<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India qualified in consecutive editions of the AFC Asian Cup for the first time, in 2022. Later, in October 2022, the AIFF extended his contract till the end of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Almost a year later, that stay was officially extended, confirming his stay with the Blue Tigers for the next four years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Stimac, a member of Croatia, took charge of the Indian team in 2019 and since then has won four major titles with the side, including two SAFF Championships.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Indian men\u2019s team will next be in action at the Merdeka Cup next week, focussing more on the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, next month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2023\/10\/aiff-extends-indian-mens-football-coach-igor-stimacs-contract-till-2026.jpg", "alt_img": "AIFF extends Indian men\u2019s football coach, Igor Stimac\u2019s contract till 2026", "alt_title": "AIFF extends Indian men\u2019s football coach, Igor Stimac\u2019s contract till 2026 ", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "AIFF Extends Indian Men\u2019s Football Coach, Igor Stimac\u2019s Contract Till 2026 On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "AIFF Extends Indian Men\u2019s Football Coach, Igor Stimac\u2019s Contract Till 2026, All India Football Federation: All India Football Federation has decided to extend men\u2019s football team coach Igor Stimac\u2019s contract till.", "seo_keywords": "Igor Stimac, Photo Credit, New Delhi, All India Football Federation, After India, Asian Games, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Mahesh Gawli, AFC Asian Cup, Blue Tigers, SAFF Championships, The Indian, Merdeka Cup, FIFA World Cup", "tag": "", "tagging": "Igor Stimac, Photo Credit, New Delhi, All India Football Federation, After India, Asian Games, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Mahesh Gawli, AFC Asian Cup, Blue Tigers, SAFF Championships, The Indian, Merdeka Cup, FIFA World Cup", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "aiff-extends-indian-mens-football-coach-igor-stimacs-contract-till-2026", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "987", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "0", "created": "2023-10-05 19:04:03", "updated": "2023-10-05 19:04:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Igor Stimac, Photo Credit, New Delhi, All India Football Federation, After India, Asian Games, FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, Mahesh Gawli, AFC Asian Cup, Blue Tigers, SAFF Championships, The Indian, Merdeka Cup, FIFA World Cup", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2023-10-05 19:04:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "0", "breaking_news": "0", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "sports_name": "football", "cnmid": "803556", "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/sports-news\/aiff-extends-indian-mens-football-coach-igor-stimacs-contract-till-2026-9294" }