Barcelona legend’s name dropped, but Spanish media calls it “completely false

Xavi’s Name Sparks Buzz, Then Backlash
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) lit up headlines this week by claiming Xavi Hernández had applied for the Indian men’s national team head coach job. The news set fans dreaming. But within hours, Spanish media called the claim “false,” sparking a wave of backlash against Indian football’s top brass.
What started as a boost for AIFF’s global profile is now a full-blown credibility crisis.


AIFF’s Claim: “Yes, Xavi Applied via Email”
AIFF Deputy Secretary General Abhishek Yadav confirmed to multiple Indian outlets that Xavi’s application came via email.
“Yes, Xavi applied. But the email lacked contact details. It didn’t seem like a formal pitch,” Yadav told India Today.

Senior Vice President Subrata Dutta also doubled down. He said Xavi was among over 200 names considered, but the Spaniard’s salary demands were “unaffordable.”
The story blew up fast. Indian fans believed a football fairytale was taking shape.
But soon, that narrative collapsed.


Mundo Deportivo: “Absolutely False”
Just hours later, Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, known for its close ties to FC Barcelona, called the entire story “absolutely false.”
The report quoted sources close to Xavi who said he had no contact with AIFF, never expressed interest, and never sent an application. Spanish journalist Ferran Correas amplified this, suggesting that “AIFF may have used Xavi’s name to gain attention.”
That turned the spotlight from celebration to scrutiny.


PR Play or Miscommunication?
This raises a serious question: Did AIFF receive a fake or spoofed email? Or did they knowingly stretch the truth?
While AIFF insists the email came, they’ve refused to share any proof or metadata. Critics argue the federation should have verified the authenticity before going public.
By using a global name like Xavi’s, even without confirmation, AIFF risked misleading fans and damaging India’s football credibility on the world stage.


Real Shortlist: No Xavi, No Stars
With the Xavi smokescreen cleared, AIFF’s real shortlist is now out. It includes:
•Stephen Constantine (former India coach)
•Khalid Jamil (first Indian coach to win an ISL playoff)
•Stefan Tarkovic (ex-Slovakia manager)
These are solid names. But they don’t carry the same global weight. After the Xavi hype, fans may feel let down — through no fault of the actual candidates.


Damage Control Now Key
The backlash isn’t just online. Questions are rising about transparency within AIFF. Many fans feel betrayed. And for a sport still finding its feet in India, that’s a dangerous look.

AIFF now has to regain trust, and fast.
A public clarification, proof of the email, or even a simple admission of error could help. Without it, the federation may carry this dent into its next term of leadership.