Ranjit Bajaj blasts AIFF, questions India U-15 coach appointment process
In an explosive video, Minerva owner Ranjit Bajaj launched a scathing attack on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and its deputy secretary general M. Satyanarayan over the coaching role selection for the Indian U-15 team.
The decision to pair Ranjit Bajaj with Bibiano Fernandes had already sparked questions, particularly over how the two would work together. Bajaj, the Minerva Academy owner, was appointed team manager, while Bibiano was set to take charge as head coach.
Bibiano was reportedly uneasy about the possibility of interference within the setup. Bajaj, meanwhile, had previously made it clear that he was prepared to step into the managerial role himself if Bibiano chose not to accept the coaching position.
Once it was reported that Bibiano had declined the offer, it was claimed that Bajaj went back to accept the position. But in a U-turn on Tuesday, it was reported that Bibiano accepted the coach role, meaning that Bajaj was left in the dark over his position.
In the video, Bajaj slammed AIFF and Satyanarayan for the miscommunication throughout the process. The Minerva owner said that he was told he could bring his own team and Bibiano wasn’t taking the role.
“I was told that you wanted to appoint me with my team. Satyanarayan ji told me that very clearly at the AIFF office. I didn’t say it; he told me.”
“After that, I was told that I would have an interview with the Technical Committee. The Technical Committee conducts interviews for coaches, not administrative positions. As far as I know, the Technical Committee has never interviewed anyone for a manager’s position before. So why did they interview me?”
“And when they interviewed me, they asked about my coaching style, my vision and my philosophy. I explained everything to them, and all of them are former internationals.”
“Then you sent me a letter,” said Bajaj.
“You even told me, Mr Bibiano said no, you can take over. I said, ‘No problem. I will take over immediately because I don’t want to sabotage my own country. He can be there and I can be there, even if we have differing views.”
“You said, ‘no, please take over. Accept it,’ and I accepted it.”
In the next part of the video, Bajaj slammed AIFF’s call for pre-selecting the team for the U-15 World Cup when he had already presented an 85-day plan and wanted to scout across 790 districts in the country to find the best talent.
“I would have found the best boys who have never even played in the I-League. Why? Because they could be the best. Just because someone has played in the I-League or has not come through the top academies doesn’t mean they cannot be better.”
“We select players from the top eight sides only. But there is one good kid in every team. Just because his team loses doesn’t mean that player isn’t good.”
“Why don’t you give those players an opportunity? Why do you select boys from only eight teams?”
“I wanted to travel all over the country during the month of August. I gave you the entire plan, but you did nothing about it,” said Bajaj.
Coming back to his own role, Bajaj said he was just given an administrative role, which included looking after the players and their travel and providing a report each day to AIFF.
The Minerva owner concluded by saying that the current generation won’t forgive AIFF for the blunders they have caused.
“The very next day, you said, here are your roles and responsibilities: booking tickets, looking after the boys, maintaining discipline, being in charge of their meals, and giving us a report every day.”
“Do you really think this is why I applied for the job? Shame on you, man.”
“And the next generation will never forgive you. They will never forgive you. I know you called me because of the pressure, but the next generation will never forgive you,” said Bajaj.
It remains to be seen how AIFF will respond to the latest statement from Bajaj on social media.
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