We had our ups and downs but thanks for the memories: Igor Stimac pens farewell note to 'Blue Tigers'

NEW DELHI: Igor Stimac, who recently parted ways with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) after India's exit from the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, expressed his deep attachment to the country and admiration for the players he coached during his five-year tenure.
Despite his bitterness towards the AIFF, Stimac acknowledged that he never anticipated becoming so emotionally invested in India when he first took on the role.
In a stern warning to the AIFF, Stimac has threatened legal action if his outstanding dues are not settled within the next 10 days. He has also leveled accusations against AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey, holding him accountable for multiple breaches of contract and the Indian team's inability to advance in the qualifiers.
Stimac revealed that his time in India has taken a toll on his health, and he has no desire to engage with the AIFF in the future.
Nevertheless, he took a moment to express his gratitude and affection for the players and fans in a heartfelt note on his X page, praising the team for their "courage and character" throughout his coaching stint.
"To all Indian football fans and my blue tigers, it's been an honour to serve you over the last five years. I didn't expect to form such a strong bond with this country and be so personally invested when I first joined you all," said the coach, who is now back at his base in Croatia.
"I am proud of every player and team member. Together we were able to create an environment of hope and belief, we pushed each other physically and mentally to play fearless, intelligent football, which required a lot of courage and effort," he added.

According to PTI, Stimac emphasized that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) must accept responsibility for the team's unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign. During this campaign, India suffered a defeat against Afghanistan, a team ranked lower than them, and could only manage a draw against Kuwait in home matches that they were favored to win.
"Not just me but the entire country acknowledges the type of game and character you intended to display every time you stepped on the pitch. We were very close to taking the next step but to make that happen, everyone needs to be on board.
"Not only the players on the pitch and the team staff members but also the ones sitting in the offices," he asserted.
Reflecting on the highlights of his time in charge, the Croatian, aged 56, expressed his eternal gratitude for the unforgettable experiences he shared with the squad.
The coach remarked that his squad had endured numerous challenges, including "survived the FIFA ban, the administrators running the football house, two years of pandemic." Despite these obstacles, they persevered and achieved the impressive feat of breaking into the top-100 rankings for a period.
"We had our ups and our downs, but every one of you will always have a special place in my heart. Thank you for all the memories and a wonderful five years. Jai Hind," he signed off.