The All India Football Federation appointed Bibiano Fernandes as head coach and Ranjit Bajaj as team manager for the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup [1].
These appointments come as India prepares for its first appearance in the tournament in 2026 [1]. The selection of these two officials [1] is intended to accelerate preparations, but the move has sparked significant debate regarding academy bias and the level of autonomy the management will possess.
An AIFF spokesperson said the federation has officially appointed Fernandes and Bajaj to lead the squad [1]. However, reports on the status of these appointments vary. While some sources confirm the roles, others indicate that Fernandes is still awaiting an official offer letter and his position is not yet confirmed [2].
Bajaj has expressed conflicting views on his potential role. In a statement to MSN, he said, "I'm ready to take up the job, provided I'm given full autonomy."
Despite that openness, Bajaj later questioned the viability of the leadership structure. He said to the Free Press Journal that the arrangement makes no sense and could guarantee failure.
The friction stems from concerns among insiders that the leadership may favor specific academies over a broader talent pool. This tension arrives as the AIFF attempts to stabilize the youth pipeline for the 2026 tournament [1].
The AIFF has not yet responded to questions regarding the specific terms of autonomy requested by Bajaj or the current status of the offer letter for Fernandes [2].
“"I'm ready to take up the job, provided I'm given full autonomy."”
The appointment of a high-profile coach and a polarizing manager suggests the AIFF is prioritizing experience and aggressive preparation for the inaugural U-15 World Cup. However, the public disagreement over autonomy and the reported delay in official paperwork indicate internal instability that could disrupt the squad's cohesion before the 2026 tournament begins.
