Former Women's coach Hawgood says Terry Walsh took India to a very good place

Hinting that Australian Terry Walsh's unceremonious ouster was a step in the backward direction, former Indian women's team chief coach Neil Hawgood feels his compatriot took national men's side to a "very good place" during his short one-year stint.

Barely days after guiding India to a gold medal after a hiatus of 16 years in the Incheon Games, Walsh was forced to quit his job following differences with Hockey India and Sports Authority of India.

Even though days later, the Australian had expressed willingness to return to India but the national federation shut the door on him citing his alleged financial irregularities during his stint with USA Hockey.

And Hawgood said Walsh's exit did not come at the right time especially after India directly qualified for next year's Rio Olympics under his guidance following their Asian Games triumph.

"It has nothing to do with me. Being in India I won't like to comment on that," was Hawgood's reaction when asked about Walsh's exit from Indian hockey.

"But I feel the timing was wrong because he just took the team to a really good place. In the end they qualified for the Olympics which is a good thing for the country. Now they just need to focus," the Australian told PTI when prodded further.

"But they have now got a very good coach in Paul van Ass. Paul is one of the best coaches in the world and he has the ability to take India forward. But he will need time," Hawgood, who is currently serving as a consultant with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation, said on the sidelines of the ongoing Sultan Azlan Shah Cup at the Azlan Shah Stadium here.

Hawgood had a successful stint with the Indian women's hockey team. After he took charge in July 2012, India bagged the bronze at the 2013 Asia Cup and 2014 Incheon Asian Games, a fifth-place finish at the Commonwealth Games, runner-up at the Asian Champions Trophy last year and won its maiden medal (bronze) at the junior World Cup under the Australian's stewardship. 

Asked about the reason behind him leaving India although he had the option of renewing his contract, Hawgood said, "It has nothing to do with hockey. It has nothing to do with any other issue. I think it was just tough living.

"I am closer to my family back home. Being based in Patiala, it made going home 20 hours or so tough. Right now I am just five hours away from home. Also the family can come and visit."

Most of the past foreign hockey coaches might have found India a tough place to work, but Hawgood said he had a gala time in the country irrespective of few problems, which is present everywhere.

"I enjoyed my two-and-half-years. I had no problems. No matter where you go, you are going to have tussles. I didn't find any interference. I just did things which I felt best for the team. In the end, I pretty well got what I wanted," the Australian said.

Recollecting his best moments with the Indian eves, Hawgood said, "The junior World Cup is one of them but also to see the girls grow in decision making. They were earlier scared to make decisions because of failures and we encouraged them to make decisions. That probably is even bigger than the bronze medal in the junior World Cup.

"I still follow them very, very closely and I do miss them."

The Australian said he is not averse to taking up the India job again if the opportunity comes in future.

"You never know what's going to happen in the world of hockey. So I wouldn't say no to it," was his reply when asked about the possibility.