Beyond The Goal

Game The World Plays: What after Bob Houghton?

We aren't sure if Bob Houghton would be asked to leave. If that happens, it is going to be a disaster for Indian football solely because of the youth development project which he had initiated, will look like a rudderless ship. It's been five years now that we have seen much of the Englishman. He has many minuses but few pluses. It's still not fathomable why he took half-injured players to Doha and thereby forced the AIFF to spend huge lot of foreign currencies on the various tours. What was the outcome of all these? There has been hue and cry within the Federation that it is the best time to show him the door. But then, isn't it too late a decision? Why at all the Federation kept quiet all these while? Today, role of a coach has become result-oriented. I understand that Bob has been able to put in something to streamline the system. But what remained a mystery was the way he handled the national team for the Asian Cup campaign. He banked on players who weren't fit....