Thomas Dennerby to take charge as head coach of Indian women's football team
Aug 13, 2021
New Delhi [India], August 13 : In India's bid to prepare for the AFC Women's Asian Cup India 2022 -- as per the decision of the AIFF Technical Committee -- Thomas Dennerby will be taking charge as head coach of the Indian senior women's national team with immediate effect.
India is the host of the Continental Championship from January 20 to February 6, 2022.
Dennerby, who was earlier in charge of the Indian U-17 Women's World Cup squad, has experience of over 30 years in coaching several national squads with much success.
The UEFA Pro Diploma holder had guided Sweden's women's national team to a 3rd-place finish in the FIFA World Cup in 2011, and a quarter-final spot in the 2012 London Olympics.
"I am grateful to the All India Football Federation for finding me suitable for the job. It's an honour to be taking over as the head coach of the Indian senior women's national team," AIFF quoted Dennerby as saying.
"I have been in India and am aware of the huge potential. It is a big challenge to get the girls ready for the AFC Women's Asian Cup. Life is all about challenges, and I relish it," he added.
AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das averred: "With his vast experience, Thomas will bring in immense value addition to the women's team. He is acquainted with India and we look forward together for him to improve our team technically, and competitively."
Dennerby will move to take charge of the Indian U-17 World Cup squad once the AFC Asian Cup ends in February 2022. Till then, the U-17 girls will be training under the watchful eyes of assistant coach Alex Ambrose, who will be working in close coordination with Dennerby.
The AIFF in consultation with Thomas Dennerby and relevant stakeholders has also laid down a composite calendar for the development of women's football.
The calendar targets a number of international exposure tours for the women's team leading to the AFC Asian Cup India 2022 which kicks off on January 20 -- all of which are subject to materialisation in view of the current pandemic situation which prevails all over the world, restricting travel worldwide.
AIFF said it expects COVID restrictions and quarantine rules to get flexible in different countries soon, and with requisite permissions landing from the governments of the respective countries, the women's team will be travelling abroad for international friendlies.
