Now Reading: Ranjit Bajaj rejects India U15 manager role, flags style differences
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Ranjit Bajaj rejects India U15 manager role, flags style differences
The Story in Brief
The Story in Brief
Ranjit Bajaj, owner of Minerva Academy, has rejected the role of manager for the Indian U-15 football team just hours after the AIFF appointed him. Bajaj said he and head coach Bibiano Fernandes have fundamentally different football philosophies, Bajaj favours a high-press attacking style while Fernandes uses a low-block counter-attacking approach. He called the pairing a “preparation for disaster” and said the team could suffer if key personnel are not aligned. Bajaj made clear his decision is not personal against Fernandes and urged fans to support the coach. The team is set to play the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan in October.
The Indian Opinion
The AIFF appointed its sharpest critic alongside a coach with a contrasting philosophy, that looked like a recipe for friction, not harmony. Bajaj’s rejection is principled, but his earlier demand to pick his own staff also hints at a desire for control. The real test will come in October: will the U-15 team show a clear identity on the pitch, or will this backroom confusion hurt their preparation?
Sources (2): sports.ndtv.com, sportstar.thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
Ashin Xavier: interesting
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IO Repro: Repro test after fix 2 Oct. Safe to trash.