Five biggest sackings in Indian Football in 2023

Shaji Prabhakaran’s sacking was fueled by his actions that led to the ‘breaching of trust.’

Either sacking a manager due to a streak of unconvincing performances or a highly-ordained official due to their act of violation, Indian Football’s never-ending drama off the field has always remained persistent down the timeline.

Over the past few years, the frequency of terminating barren contracts and signing a fresh tactical brain subsequently increased. It is because every team’s morale is driven by their tactical and technical outcomes. Here is a list of the top 5 sackings in Indian Football since January 2023 that created headlines when revealed to the community.

Carlos Pena (FC Goa):

The Gaurs parted ways with their Spanish Gaffer earlier this year in April. After a legendary career as a player, Pena rejoined the Club earlier this season as Head Coach. He saw his team finish seventh in the ISL 2022–23 season, missing the playoffs in his only season as head coach.

FC Goa went on to place second in the 2023 Super Cup’s Group C. Unfortunately, after failing to yield results with his framework, the Indian Super League club announced the discontinuation of Coach Pena and his coaching staff, Gorka Azkorra, Joel Dones and Eduard Carrera.

Stephen Constantine (East Bengal FC):

East Bengal’s British Head Coach Stephen Constantine was sacked earlier this year after a devastating performance was showcased by the Kolkata Giants as they ended ninth in the Indian Super League last season. Under the former Indian National Team Head Coach, the Red and Golds lost 13 of their 20 league fixtures following which, The Board decided to part ways with him right after the end of the Super Cup.

“We’ve decided to change the coach as we want to give players a better environment. A new coach is yet to be finalized. We have more time and resources this year compared to the last. Team building will be done in consultation with club officials,” Aditya Agarwal, Co-Director of East Bengal FC said on parting ways with their former gaffer.

Constantine was at the beginning of the last season with an option to extend it to another year but was subsequently cut short due to his tactical shortcomings.

Vincenzo Annese (NorthEast United FC):

After triumphing with Gokulam Kerala FC in the I-League, the Italian tactician was welcomed as their new Head Coach by the Highlanders after they parted ways with Marco Baibul mid-season back in December 2022.

However, the gaffer wasn’t able to meet the team’s expectations as the Indian outfit played 12 games under him out of which, they were only able to win a single game. In March 2023, the Club decided to part ways with Boss Vincenzo Annese.

Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran (AIFF)

On 8th November 2023, the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) sacked Secretary General Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran due to his act of violation leading to the ‘breaching of trust’ just after 14-months of him being appointed to a high-profile role in the organization. Deputy-Secretary General Satyanarayan M took over the role in the interim.

Former Indian football player and a legend of the game, Bhaichung Bhutia commented upon this decision saying, “I am not surprised because there has been complete mismanagement in AIFF.” Bhutia said on Wednesday referring to Prabhakaran’s removal. “The way India’s campaign in the Asian Games was mishandled, and the decision to not bid for the 2027 Asian Cup (since awarded to Saudi Arabia) are but two examples. Away from home, the men’s and women’s teams too have been losing. The president, treasurer, and the vice-president too should go.”

Aidy Boothroyd (Jamshedpur FC)

Aidy Boothroyd, the Englishman was appointed as the Head Coach of Jamshedpur FC after the club mutually parted ways with Owen Coyle who set a good record for the Men of Steel under his guidance and tactical framework.

But it didn’t seem worthy enough since the team’s performance dropped significantly in Boothroyd’s environment. At the end of the season, Jamshedpur FC finished in the tenth place. Out of the 20 times they took the field, it was only five times when left the field victorious. As a result, the Club decided to part ways with the Englishman out of dissatisfactory results and appointed Scott Cooper as the new Head Coach.,

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