Pipe dream or real possibility?

A juicy bit of news doing the rounds these days is Brazil legend Zico8217;s willingness to coach the India team. India have had their share...

A juicy bit of news doing the rounds these days is Brazil legend Zico8217;s willingness to coach the India team. India have had their share of foreign coaches 8212; mostly middle-level degree holders 8212; but never a name as big as Zico8217;s. But despite the formidable reputation the star striker comes with, the moot question remains: Does India need a superstar or just a coach? 1-5 and 0-7 losses to Oman and Japan has suddenly put the entire football community against current coach Stephen Constantine, giving the Zico rumour credibility. MICKY AIGNER looks at a few factors to be considered if we are to dream the Zico dream

A question of finances

The biggest hurdle would be Zico8217;s salary. While Constantine is believed to draw an annual salary of 96,000 approx Rs 44 lakh, Zico pockets 1.5 million a year approx Rs 6.75 crore, apart from other perks in his position as coach of the Japan national team. Interestingly, the total budget of the National Football League is around Rs 5 crore.

Given a long-shot 8212; that the money is arranged 8212; Zico would then be expected to do what Otto Rehhagel did for Greece at Euro 2004 as he too picks up an identical salary 8212; exclusive of the perks.

Reputation over all else?

The Brazilian undoubtedly outdoes the Englishman in terms of status. Constantine is a UEFA PRO Licence-holder and has, for over a decade, enjoyed successful coaching careers in the US, England, Cyprus and Nepal.

Zico, who scored 54 goals in 78 games for Brazil, relies heavily on his past, which includes being part of Japan8217;s Kashima Antlers squad when the Japan Football Association looked at ageing stars to add sheen to their newly-inducted pro-league.

As a FIFA instructor, Constantine travels the world conducting football coaching and education courses and holds an array of coaching qualifications gained via the FA 8212; including being awarded the coveted Full Badge Advanced Licence 8212; UEFA and FIFA.

Zico, who has played three World Cups 1978, 8217;82, 8217;86, has so far been criticised for failing to improve Japan8217;s firepower.

The general mess

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While Zico 8212; on a 10-month contract that expires late November 8212; gets his salary from the JFA, it is said that the AIFF8217;s marketing agents 8212; Strata 8212; were paying Constantine his salary. The AIFF picked up the tab for just his boarding and lodging besides giving him an allowance.

Also sample this: Sukhwinder Singh, Constantine8217;s predecessor, had no monthly salary while payments 8212; around Rs 30,000 8212; were only for the period he was in charge of the team for camps and meets.