CHENNAI: The All India Football Federation (AIFF) will advertise for a coach for the national U-17 team. This is expected in the next few days and if things go according to plans, a new coach will be appointed within a month. This follows the decision to sack Nicolai Adam, against whom players have submitted a written complaint of physical abuse.
Although this may severely affect the team’s preparations ahead of the U-17 World Cup to be hosted by India in October, the AIFF has taken this drastic step considering the “serious nature of allegations”.
A senior official said the boys have refused to even train under the German UEFA pro licence holder, who was hired in 2015.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official told Express: “Nicolai hasn’t been sacked yet. Nor has he resigned. But it’s certain that he will be sacked. The process of appointing a new coach has started and the post is going to be advertised for in the next few days. The idea is, a new coach must take charge in a month.”
Adams took charge of the Indian U-17 team in April, 2015, after an impressive stint with the Azerbaijan junior teams. Most of the boys in the current Indian lot were picked by him. In an unprecedented move, it was these players who accused him of physical abuse.
Insisting that “physical abuse” in this case doesn’t mean sexual abuse, the official said what Adam did amounted to torture.
“This is a case of child abuse. He used to manhandle the boys and beat them up. The number of these incidents was increasing. The boys said they won’t accepct him as coach even when Bhaichung Bhutia went to had a word with them.”
Sacking a coach before his contract expires (Adam had one till the World Cup) usually means he has to be suitably compensated, but the AIFF is confident this won’t be the case, since the German is being removed on disciplinary grounds.
“There is a clause in the contract that says the coach will be compensated in case of premature termination of contract. But there is also a rule that says there will be no compensation if the contract is terminated because of disciplinary issues. With Nicolai, it’s a serious disciplinary charge. So we don’t think he can claim anything,” said the official.
With the boys set to begin a physical conditioning camp on February 1, AIFF technical director Scott O’Donnel is likely to be in charge of that one. The Australian is likely to look after preparations till the new coach is appointed. As far as selecting the final team is concerned, that responsibility will be entrusted with the new coach.
atreyo@newindianexpress.com