India’s national football coach Igor Stimac has expressed grave reservations about the existing form of the Indian Super League (ISL), asserting that the league is not doing enough to facilitate the development and progress of Indian footballers. In a frank evaluation, the Croatian trainer said that even though the ISL is popular and commercially viable, its existing model is not in keeping with the long-term best interests of Indian football.
Stimac, who has been in charge of Indian football since 2019, was left disappointed with the direction the ISL has taken, opining that it focuses more on entertainment than competitive integrity and developing players. In his view, the brevity of the league and few opportunities for Indian players are major setbacks keeping Indian talent from achieving their potential.
One of the core problems he emphasized is the insufficient playing time for local players, particularly in important areas. With most teams depending excessively on foreign players in key positions like center-back, attacking midfielder, and striker, locals find themselves stuck in supplementary roles or sitting on the bench. This, Stimac contends, limits their exposure to high-pressure situations and hinders their tactical development.
He also condemned the brief ISL season, which usually runs from just four to five months. “A professional player cannot develop or remain competitive by playing just 18 to 20 matches a year,” he explained. To put this into perspective, footballers in established leagues play more than 40 to 50 matches a year, which enables them to continually sharpen their skills, achieve match fitness, and respond to diverse tactical challenges. Stimac emphasized that without an extended competitive schedule, Indian players stand in a disadvantageous position globally.
Another point of contention was the lack of a robust promotion and relegation system, which Stimac believes reduces competition among clubs and prevents the natural growth of football across all levels. “When there’s no fear of being relegated, teams lack urgency. That’s not how football should work,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of integrating the I-League and other lower-tier competitions into a more unified, merit-based system.
In spite of his reservations, Stimac admitted the benefits that the ISL has brought to Indian football—improved infrastructure, more exposure, and greater professionalism in club administration. But he stressed that these victories need to be directed now towards creating a more sustainable system with Indian players at the forefront of the project.
He also called on the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and league organizers to co-ordinate more closely with the national team apparatus to develop an integrated development plan. This, he contended, must involve expanded seasons, improved youth schemes, increased international tour-nation tours, and Indian playing time in every game as a requirement.
Stimac’s words fall during a period when the national team is gearing up to face decisive qualifying matches and international competitions. His criticism is both an alert and a call to action—if Indian football is going to ascend on the international stage, reform within domestic competitions such as the ISL is not only beneficial—it’s necessary.
