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National coach Bob Houghton has been upset with a section of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass and matters have come to such a pass that he has even threatened to resign.
The coach, according to AIFF sources, has asked for an immediate extension of his contract with a hike of $10,000 per month.
When contacted, AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco told ToI that the coach need not worry about anything. He did not deny that Houghton has threatened to quit and simply said: "His contract will be renewed. Everything is fine." The decision will be taken in the AIFF's executive committee meeting scheduled for May 7.
The British coach's contract will come to an end in January 2011 with the Asian Cup final round. He draws an annual salary of $240,000.
It is learnt that a powerful section in the AIFF has been working overtime to show Houghton the door. "His spat with a very senior office-bearer is public knowledge. His proposals are rarely being implemented even after he has helped the national team win three titles," a source said.
Before leaving for the Asian Cup draw, the coach had a bitter row with a senior AIFF official and the bone of contention was contract extension. Houghton is currently in Cape Town and is likely to return in mid-May.
Differences arose over several issues including Asian Cup preparations and the conduct of the I-League. Houghton wanted to add more teams in the I-League, reduce the number of foreign players, have matches only in the evening and to finalise exclusive contracts with the national players who will be preparing for the Asian Cup.
The tough draw, where India have been clubbed with Australia, South Korea and Bahrain, may have led AIFF to believe that even Houghton could not achieve much in such a tough draw. "Moreover, Houghton has got an offer to coach Australia which anybody worth his salt would be seriously considering," a source revealed.
Captain Bhaichung Bhutia sounded rather perturbed with the current development in the AIFF. "It is time we understand that India needs Houghton more than Houghton needs India. It will be very difficult if not impossible to find someone of his stature to come and work in India. After all his achievements in Europe and Asia, it was nice of him to agree to come and work in India whose ranking and infrastructure are nothing to write home about."
A section in the AIFF, however, feels that the tough Asian Cup draw has a lot to do with Houghton's current stance. "He knows that India won't be able to do well there and is seeking a way out." Colaco's assurance may help tide over the crisis for the moment but without a long-term plan, the future of Indian football doesn't look good at all.
The coach, according to AIFF sources, has asked for an immediate extension of his contract with a hike of $10,000 per month.
When contacted, AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco told ToI that the coach need not worry about anything. He did not deny that Houghton has threatened to quit and simply said: "His contract will be renewed. Everything is fine." The decision will be taken in the AIFF's executive committee meeting scheduled for May 7.
The British coach's contract will come to an end in January 2011 with the Asian Cup final round. He draws an annual salary of $240,000.
It is learnt that a powerful section in the AIFF has been working overtime to show Houghton the door. "His spat with a very senior office-bearer is public knowledge. His proposals are rarely being implemented even after he has helped the national team win three titles," a source said.
Before leaving for the Asian Cup draw, the coach had a bitter row with a senior AIFF official and the bone of contention was contract extension. Houghton is currently in Cape Town and is likely to return in mid-May.
Differences arose over several issues including Asian Cup preparations and the conduct of the I-League. Houghton wanted to add more teams in the I-League, reduce the number of foreign players, have matches only in the evening and to finalise exclusive contracts with the national players who will be preparing for the Asian Cup.
The tough draw, where India have been clubbed with Australia, South Korea and Bahrain, may have led AIFF to believe that even Houghton could not achieve much in such a tough draw. "Moreover, Houghton has got an offer to coach Australia which anybody worth his salt would be seriously considering," a source revealed.
Captain Bhaichung Bhutia sounded rather perturbed with the current development in the AIFF. "It is time we understand that India needs Houghton more than Houghton needs India. It will be very difficult if not impossible to find someone of his stature to come and work in India. After all his achievements in Europe and Asia, it was nice of him to agree to come and work in India whose ranking and infrastructure are nothing to write home about."
A section in the AIFF, however, feels that the tough Asian Cup draw has a lot to do with Houghton's current stance. "He knows that India won't be able to do well there and is seeking a way out." Colaco's assurance may help tide over the crisis for the moment but without a long-term plan, the future of Indian football doesn't look good at all.
