CHENNAI: A day after India’s U-17 team levelled allegations of physical abuse against coach Nicolai Adam, the German’s fate appears more or less sealed.
While the All India Football Federation put out a statement denying they had sacked the coach and publicly maintains that they will not take a decision on his future until an investigation into the matter is complete, sources close to the federation are of the view that there is no way Adam can continue.
“I think everyone knows his fate is sealed,” sources said. “An investigation is going on, but it is hard for anything to come out of it that will conclusively prove that Adam is innocent. There is little chance that he will lead the team into the U-17 World Cup.”
It is understood that AIFF technical committee chairman Bhaichung Bhutia met the U-17 players on Thursday in New Delhi to hear their side of the story. The former India captain had earlier gone on record saying it was difficult to sack Adam with so little time left for the World Cup, a view shared by the Sports Authority of India officials, who have funded the U-17 team for the last couple of years.
While it has been learnt that all members of the team have signed the letter submitted to the AIFF, it can’t be ascertained at the moment what exactly is the nature of the complaint. “Physical abuse is all we can say. At this moment, it’s not possible to disclose more,” said sources.
O’Donell to step in?
With Adam’s fate virtually sealed, discussions are on for the next man to helm the first ever Indian team to participate in a global football event. One name that has cropped up in early discussions within the federation is that of current technical director Scott O’Donell.
The Australian is currently in his final few days as AIFF’s technical director, having decided to quit in November citing personal reasons. While no approach has been made yet, it is thought that an assignment as the U-17 team’s coach may persuade O’Donell, who has been in India for five years, to stay on.
vishnu.prasad@newindianexpress.com