PHOTO AIFF
Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Monday named Romanian Doru Isac as its technical director for a three-year tenure. Mr. Doru was selected from a list of over 60 candidates who had applied for the post which was advertised earlier this year.The 56-year-old Isac was one of the three candidates interviewed by the AIFF’s technical committee, headed by Shyam Thapa
Gaioz Darsadze of Georgia and Jorge Castelo of Portugal were the other two candidates interviewed by the technical committee. The post of technical director remained vacant since Australian Scott O’Donnell decided to quit in 2017. Former India player and coach Savio Medeira was looking after the post as interim technical director since then.
The well-travelled Isac has worked in various managerial capacities as well as technical director in many European and Asian countries.
Born in Craiova, Isac comes with a rich experience of almost 29 years in International Football across many countries namely France, Japan, USA, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Qatar amongst others. He was last employed as the Sporting Director of three-time J-league Champions Yokohama Marinos FC.
Welcoming Isac, AIFF president Prafull Patel said “It’s nice to have Mr. Doru on board. His vast experience will come in handy for Indian Football. I expect him to guide us to the next level.”
AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das said the biggest challenge is to “sustain the momentum” gained in Indian Football.
“Indian Football has been experiencing a significant transition in recent years. I look up to Mr. Doru to work on, and improve on the roadmap already laid down for the youth teams, and at the same time make value addition to our coach education programme, grassroots, women’s football, and men’s football too,” Mr. Das stated.
Mr. Doru thanked the AIFF for the opportunity, saying he is “looking forward to the challenge.”
“I need to thank All India Football Federation for the opportunity. I’m eager to make a positive contribution to the progress of Football in India, and to work with everyone from the AIFF family,” Mr. Doru stated.
He mentioned that he is “looking forward to starting employment immediately after obtaining the traveling visa to India.”
Isac is widely known as assistant to Arsene Wenger at Japanese side Nagoya Grampus Eight from 1997 to 2002. He also has worked with former Portugal and Real Madrid manager Carlos Queiros as well as Bora Milutinovic.