The Englishman has asked for an immediate extension of his contract along with a pay hike of $10,000; AIFF may not give in.
Chief coach Bob Houghton may part ways with Indian football even as the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has officially confirmed that the Englishman’s contract would be renewed, but with certain clauses attached to it. “
His contract would be renewed, but there will be certain clauses,” AIFF general secretary Alberto Colaco told DNA on Saturday.
Houghton, who is currently in South Africa and has a contract running till January 2011, is believed to have “threatened to quit” unless his contract is renewed with immediate effect with an amount of $10,000 over and above his present salary.
His current package comes up to $240,000 apart from perquisites that include five-star accommodation all over the country round the year.
Even with Colaco confirming that Houghton’s contract would be renewed, there is no guarantee that he will be given a hike of $10,000. Houghton’s detractors may thus have the last laugh when the AIFF executive committee meets to discuss the issue on May 7. “The hike can, at the most, be $5000,” an insider said.
The infighting and drama has left the AIFF house divided. A section of the federation, which wanted to get rid of Houghton, felt that he was looking for an excuse particularly after India were clubbed with powerhouses like Australia and South Korea in Group C of the Asian Cup. Another faction is of the opinion that Houghton was disappointed with the way his proposals were being ignored time and again.
In Houghton’s tenure, India have won three titles in the last three years, including the AFC Challenge Cup, which is the qualifying tournament for the Asian Cup.
However, if sources close to Houghton are anything to go by, then this has more to do with the treatment the Brit has received rather than the money factor. “A particular office-bearer left no stone unturned to thwart Houghton’s plans with the national team,” the source pointed out.
The source, meanwhile, claimed that Houghton has a few offers in hand from other nations and clubs from the Middle-East. Apparently, he has an offer from the Australian federation which wants him to take charge of their national team after this year’s FIFA World Cup.
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