Harendra Singh set to replace Oltmans

Harendra, who was associated with the senior men’s team as national coach from 2009 to 2011, believes his credentials are at par with all the foreign coaches in the world and his application would be hard to ignore for Hockey India. 

“Yes, I will definitely apply, there is no ambiguity in it. But I will submit my application after doing all the home work. I am willing to take over and I promise I will deliver to the expectations of the countrymen,” Harendra said. “I have 21 years of coaching experience and I am going to prepare a blueprint for 2020. My target is always to win a medal in any tournament because I am a desh bhakt (patriot) and I always want to see the tri-colour flying high.” “A foreign coach will have to start from the scratch. He will not be aware of all the players. But I know these group of players in and out,” he added. 

Asked whether how confident he was of getting the position, Harendra, the non-Olympian coach, said: “They (HI) can’r ignore me now. I think I’m 100 per cent in the league of the top foreign coaches of the world. “But I want to make it clear that I won’t work under any foreign coach except for Ric Charlesworth.” Harendra’s chances seem bright after Hockey India’s High Performance Director David John hinted that the Junior World Cup winning-coach could be the frontrunner if he opts to apply. 

“John knows me since 2011. We have a very good understanding but I won’t like to predict anything. Let’s wait and watch,” said Harendra, touted as the best Indian hockey coach at present, who has every tactical knowledge to match the world’s best.