If Hockey India is ready, we will reappoint Terry Walsh: SAI DG

Sports Authority of India (SAI) director-general Jiji Thomson said it will be difficult for Hockey India (HI) to take Terry Walsh back as coach under current circumstances.

"We had a discussion with Walsh and all the stakeholders. All the points were discussed at great length. HI raised some objection related to financial impropriety and we need to get more details on that.

"I don't think HI will be ready to take Walsh back without getting the clearance on these issues. The ball is in HI's court. If HI says that it is comfortable with the coach, we are ready to reappoint Walsh," Thomson told dna on Monday.

Thomson said if Walsh doesn't return, it will be a big setback to Indian hockey as he was a "fantastic coach".

Asked if Walsh's demands for more working days from home were justified, Thomson said, "We were not comfortable, to be very honest, and I told that to Walsh also. You can't have an online coaching system and that is not acceptable. He had also accepted it. Earlier, he was talking about 120 days paid leave, but then he came down," Thomson said.

India will play the upcoming Champions Trophy under high-performance director Roelant Oltmans. It is learnt that much will depend on India's performance in the tournament. If the team finishes in the top six, there is strong possibility that SAI will press upon HI for Walsh's reappointment to maintain the continuity in the coaching method.