Barely a week after he was unceremoniously shown the door as Indian hockey team's chief coach, Australian Michael Nobbs returned to the country in the wee hours today to settle his dues with his employer, Sports Authority of India.
Hockey India secretary general Narinder Batra confirmed that Nobbs arrived in the capital and met with HI office bearers today.
"As per his plans, Nobbs landed in the country early this morning to settle all his dues. He came to Hockey India office today and is expected to meet the SAI DG later this week," Batra told PTI.
"He is also expected to travel to Bangalore to meet all the players before leaving for Australia," he said.
According to a source, SAI Director General Jiji Thomson is presently out of the capital.
Hockey India sacked Nobbs as the chief coach of the Indian team for non-performance, thus becoming the fourth foreigner to be shown the door before completion of the full tenure.
Nobbs' contract was terminated on Jul 9, almost three years before it was to expire because of non-performance. Roelant Oltmans, who is currently the Hockey India's High Performance Director, has been given charge of the team until Asia Cup to be held in Ipoh, Malaysia from August 24 to September 1.
Nobbs, who took over the charge in 2011, was offered a five-year contract and a handsome salary, but his association with Indian hockey lasted merely two years and before ending on a bitter note.
Nobbs, however, claimed that he resigned from the post willingly because of his deteriorating health condition.
