AIFF appoints Dutch coach as Technical Director

New Delhi: The All India Football Federation appointed Dutch coach Rob Baan as the new Technical Director of the national football team on Tuesday.

Baan has earlier worked in a similar capacity with the Australian Football Federation. Baan is one of the most high-profile coaches to have worked in India, having been an assistant coach at PSV Eindhoven from 1995-98 and also the Technical Director at Feynoord Rotterdam from 1998-2004.

He has also been the Technical Director of the Netherlands youth team.

The 68-year-old was briefly appointed a caretaker manager of the senior Dutch team for a match against Cyprus back in 1981.

He performed a similar duty during the Socceroos' 1-0 win over Nigeria in 2007.

According to the AIFF media release, Baan will be responsible for drafting an Indian Football Masterplan.

"It is fantastic that AIFF has given me the chance to use my expertise in India. Recent research reports have shown that football is a sport with huge potential in India. With its dazzling 1.2 billion people, rich history and culture, India is a sleeping giant," he was quoted as saying in the media release.

"In the next two years, I will work hard together with PSV and AIFF to lay the groundwork for the future of Indian football. I see it as my job to create the right conditions based on the Dutch school, but with a strong Indian signature," he maintained.

AIFF president Praful Patel welcomed Baan's appointment.

"This is definitely the most important initiative undertaken by the AIFF jointly with FIFA and Orange Sports Forum (OSF) for grassroot and youth development of Indian Football. I am confident that the appointment of the Technical Director, along with establishing Regional and Elite Academies, will go a long way in taking Indian Football to a new level."

The AIFF general secretary Kushal Das on his part said, "We are very pleased with the appointment of our new Technical Director Rob Baan as part of our master agreement with Orange Sports Forum. Baan will be responsible for structuring the development plan jointly with FIFA and laying the philosophy of Indian football for the future."

Das further added, "AIFF aims to establish four Regional Football Academies and one Elite Academy by 31st March 2012."

"These Academies will be developed with Technical Support from FIFA, Philips and PSV."

"Mr Baan will work closely with AIFF/FIFA, PSV and Philips to get the best possible structure and design of the Academies to achieve optimal results as quickly as possible."

"We trust that over the next few years the level of our national squads will improve significantly, as will our FIFA ranking."