Roca, Sven-Goran Eriksson emerge frontrunners as AIFF shortlists 35 for coach's job

Under Roca's guidance, Bengaluru FC won the Federation Cup and the Super Cup.

New Delhi:Former Bengaluru FC manager Albert Roca and ex England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson are the front runners for Indian football team's coach position as AIFF shortlist 35 candidates for the job.

Other than Roca and Sven-Goran, England's Tommy Taylor, Sweden's Hakan Ericson, Serbia's Tomislav Sivic, Englishman Lee Clark along with Spain's Lucas Alcaraz Gonzalez are other candidates shortlisted for the post.

Sven-Goran was England coach from 2001 to 2006. Last month, the Swedish had expressed his interest regarding the job to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Indian football team's coach position has been vacant ever since Englishman Stephen Constantine step down following Blue Tigers exit from the group stage of AFC Cup.

“The federation has received over 250 applications. 125 were selected after that and out of which 80 qualified as per the AIFF’s requirements. After that, around 35-40 names, based on various criteria, have been forwarded to the technical committee. Seven to eight will be called for the final interviews, following which the appointment will be made,” an AIFF official said.

Eriksson, who has won 18 trophies with various clubs in Sweden, Portugal and Italy, has also managed the national team of England, Mexico, Philippines and the Ivory Coast.

The 71-year-old Swedish was also the first manager to win league-and-cup doubles in three countries.

Meanwhile, under Roca's guidance, Bengaluru FC won the Federation Cup and the Super Cup.