Houghton to continue as coach

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has asserted that Englishman Bob Houghton will continue to coach the team until January 31, 2011. In a media conference held after the AIFF Executive Committee meeting on Friday, AIFF President Praful Patel said though reports of Houghton’s resignation were “baseless rumours”.

““I had spoken to Bob a few days ago. He has certain issues that have been communicated by his agent,” Patel was quoted as saying by the Hindustan Times at the media conference.

“Those issues don’t indicate that Bob wanted to quit. This episode and the uncertainty surrounding it will be put to rest.”

The AIFF chief said: “He (Bob) continues to be the coach of the Indian national squad until January 2011.”

In preparations for the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2011â„¢ for which India have been drawn with Korea Republic, Australia and Bahrain, the Executive Committee decided to give the entire national team (30 probables) an AIFF contract for eight months (June 2010-January 2011), with a hike of 15 per cent.

“The team will go on an extensive training-coaching programme and play friendlies from September as planned earlier,” assured Patel.

AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco said the first two matches would be against Thailand, away on September 4 and at home on September 8

Source: AFC

From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Monday 10 May 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.