Former India goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya has written a letter to the All India Football Federation after chief national coach Igor Stimac’s service was terminated. 

Bhattacharya who represented I-league debutant Inter Kashi last season has urged the AIFF to appoint a coach who does not get influenced by a single player or his past achievements, referring to Antonio Habas, Sergio Lobera, and Manolo Marquez’s names. 

In his letter to the AIFF, Bhattacharya wrote, 'As an Indian footballer who has played for nearly two decades and played under some exceptional coaches; moreover, as an Indian football, I am happy to see that finally, things seem to be moving in the right direction, or at least it’s a start.

The sacking of the current head coach is not a statement it was the need of the hour. The team selection, followed by excuses for poor results is frustrating for players and fans both. 

What should have been done a while ago has finally been done now. Better late than never I suppose. 

Now comes the most important part, the job of appointing a new and capable coach. 

In my humble personal opinion, it should be someone who knows and understands Indian football, someone who has got fantastic results time and again at the club level. A coach with a strong personality and character who is not influenced by a single player or his past achievements alone, someone like Antonio Lopez Habas, Sergio Lobera, or Manolo Marquez for example.