Igor Stimac to Receive Significant Compensation from AIFF After Exiting as Former India Coach

Igor Stimac and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have come to an agreement, with the former national team head coach set to receive USD 400,000 (approximately Rs 3.36 crore) after tax as compensation for his termination. The AIFF relieved Stimac of his duties in June, ending his contract a year earlier than planned due to the team's elimination from the second round of FIFA World Cup Qualifiers despite a favorable draw. The termination sparked a confrontational exchange of words between Stimac and the AIFF, with the Croatian coach threatening legal action if his dues were not settled within 10 days. Fortunately, both parties have now come to a resolution.

"The AIFF top brass has approved payment of USD 400,000 as compensation to settle the issue with AIFF," a source privy to the development told PTI on Sunday.

It is quite a hefty amount for a federation that has struggled for funds in recent times and has reduced its competitions budget this year.

Earlier, AIFF had offered three months' salary as compensation after his sacking but Stimac refused and went to FIFA last month claiming USD 920,000 (approximately Rs 7.72 crore) as two years' salary from the country's apex football body.

The 57-year-old Stimac, who was appointed as the head coach in 2019, was in last October given an extension until 2026 by the AIFF.

Stimac was given a condition that he would get an extension if the team made the quarterfinals of the Asian Cup -- a feat that has never been achieved.

India finished last in the group when they participated in the continental showpiece in 2011 and 2015 editions.

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Manolo Marquez replaced Stimac as the new Indian men's team coach. The former India coach had earlier rejected offers from the AIFF to settle for five and then 10 months' salary.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)