Deputy Chairman of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) Technical Committee Henry Menezes has revealed that Igor Stimac's experience in World Cups handed him a bit of advantage over other candidates, saying that "only a person who has been there can show us the way."
Recently, Stimac got the charge of Indian national team and his appointment was in line with India's long-term aspiration of qualifying for the World Cup.
"Stimac's CV is the most promising CV that I have ever come across in Indian football. And who better than a bronze medal winner in the World Cup. We believe that he can infuse the ambition in the players to participate in a World Cup. Only a person who has been there can show us the way and no one else," Goal.com quoted Menezes, as saying.
Menezes also stated that the Croatian has worked with the low-ranked teams before and the way he managed to keep those clubs afloat speaks volumes of his character. Menezes further expressed that Stimac is aware of the Indian footballers.
"He has had to work with lower-ranked teams whose main concern was to save relegation. He had adverse challenges in the middle-east and the fact that he managed to keep those clubs afloat speak volumes of his character. His experience will only help him in this job as we very well know that the position of the head coach is not a rosy one," he said.
"He (Stimac) is aware of the strengths of our footballers and now he has to work in bringing the best out of his players. I don't think there will be any major change in style in the King's Cup itself but yes the coach might make some tactical adjustments," Menezes added.
India will compete in the King's Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Thailand next month. Later in July, India will host Syria, Tajikistan, and DPR Korea for the Intercontinental Cup.