# Ranjit Bajaj rejects AIFF U-15 manager role over unclear plan

2026-08-06T20:50:55+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 1 independent outlet

Ranjit Bajaj has decided against taking up the India U-15 team manager’s role after the All India Football Federation announced his appointment for the FIFA U-15 World Cup in Azerbaijan. Speaking to India Today, Bajaj said the AIFF had not informed him before making the announcement and questioned the logic of pairing him with Bibiano Fernandes and an unfamiliar coaching staff. The reports differ on Fernandes’s status. India Today says he retained the head coach position, while Times Now reports that he was offered the role but had not received a formal offer. Bajaj has proposed using his own staff and hosting the preparatory camp at Minerva Academy without charging the federation, according to Times Now.

## Coverage

- indiatoday.in <https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/ranjit-bajaj-aiff-india-fifa-u-15-world-cup-manager-reject-exclusive-2965447-2026-08-07?utm_source=rss>
- freepressjournal.in <https://www.freepressjournal.in/sports/minerva-academy-fc-owner-ranjit-bajaj-drops-bombshell-after-being-appointed-india-under-15-football-team-manager-for-inaugural-fifa-u-15-world-cup-2026>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/ranjit-bajaj-offers-free-u-15-world-cup-offer-as-bibiano-awaits-aiff-letter-insiders-fear-academy-bias-exclusive-article-155355363>

Tags: AIFF, Indian football, Ranjit Bajaj, U-15 World Cup
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