India Hires New National Football Team Manager

28 December 2010

India's soccer coach Robert Douglas Houghton, (File)

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has appointed a new national team manager ahead of next month's Asian Cup football tournament after Pradip Choudhury walked out, following reported differences with coach Bob Houghton.

Raul Carmo Fernandes was named as the replacement after Choudhury left the Indian training camp in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  The loss of Choudhury, who was popular with players, has apparently negatively impacted the team.  AIFF officials have announced they will travel to Dubai Wednesday in an attempt to boost morale. 

The team put out a statement saying it believed that Choudhury should have set aside his personal differences with the coach for the good of the team.

India has been drawn into Group C at the Asian Cup -- where it will face Australia, South Korea and Bahrain.  The tournament will be held in Doha from January 7 to 29.

Source:VoA