Thomas Dennerby appointed as head coach of India's senior women's football team

In a bid to prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022, the AIFF technical committee has appointed Swedish coach Thomas Dennerby as the head coach of the Indian senior women’s national football team. India are the hosts of the continental championship from January 20- February 6, 2022. The 62-year-old boss was previously in charge of the Indian U-17 Women’s World Cup squad. The women’s U-17 World Cup which was due to be held in India in 2021 has been postponed for October 2022, therefore the U-17 team’s charge has been handed over to the Assistant coach Alex Ambrose until Dennerby’s assignment with the senior team is completed.

Dennerby is a UEFA Pro Diploma holder and has guided Sweden’s Women’s National team to a third place finish in the FIFA World Cup in 2011 and a quarter-final finish in the 2012 London Olympics. He also coached the Nigerian Women’s National team to the 2019 Women’s World Cup and helped them to win the AWCON award in 2018 and was awarded the 2018 coach of the year in Nigeria.

The 62-year-old has lots of experience when it comes to women’s football and his stint with the Indian under-17 women’s team would have given him enough knowledge about Indian football.

“I have been in India and am aware of the huge potential”

“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,” Dennerby stated.

“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 Mr. Kushal Das said: “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.”

Meanwhile, the AIFF in consultation with Dennerby and the relevant stakeholders has laid down a composite calendar for the development of Indian women’s football, which includes a number of International exposure tours in order to prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022. However, the trips are subject to materialisation depending on the COVID-19 pandemic situation around the world.

AIFF expects the COVID-19 restrictions and guidelines to be eased in the future in different parts of the world, which will allow the Women’s team to travel for exposure tours. And there is also a plan to host an International tournament for Women in India depending on the COVID-19 situation.