The empire strikes rach

Rach could well turn around and say the same thing: The problem lies not with him but with a system that is autocratic and opaque and which believes the best way of dealing with a coach is to first tie his hands.

Rach8217;s appointment, barely two weeks before the Athens Olympics raised a controversy. Besides the fact that he was an unknown name 8212; earlier with German fourth division club TUS Obermenzing 8212; he had also served 8 months for forgery.

So when the IHF stuck its neck out and appointed him, one thought it would be for a decent spell. Apparently, not so. If he is indeed removed, if the empire strikes back, the rot within the system will remain.Here8217;s what any new coach is up against:

Select, Reject
Unlike cricket, or even football, the Indian hockey coach has no say in the composition of his team. Neither does the captain. Officially, a selection panel picks the team 15 people flew to Munich to choose the 16-man squad for Athens. Officially.

Rach has often indicated his preference for Deepak Thakur and Gagan Ajit Singh in the attack. IHF sources admit that he8217;d specifically sought their inclusion in the probables list for the recent Champions Trophy but to no avail. Rach has also indicated that he8217;s been forced to play certain players. 8216;8216;If I could I8217;d fire Sandeep Michael. Ditto Harpal Singh and Adam Sinclair. They don8217;t have the class to play international hockey,8217;8217; he said in Lahore.

Going back in time, during the 1998 selections for the Commonwealth Games, coach MK Kaushik was forced to drop Sanjeev Kumar from the camp for trivial reasons. Cedric D8217;Souza, sacked from the hot spot in the middle of the 2002 World Cup, voiced the concern of many when he advocated that the coach be the sole selector, as in football.

Tech-no policy
When Spain8217;s Dutch coach Maurits Hendriks takes charge of his team during training and at practice matches, he has a videographer on hand to shoot his players. He can8217;t understand how any team can function without one. 8216;8216;In the modern game, there can8217;t be any success without a video analyst. Hockey has become a game of tactics8217;8217;, he said in Chandigarh.

Pakistan8217;s outgoing coach Rolant Oeltmans had a fulltime videographer, a goalkeeping coach, and a psychologist on hand at all times.

India? Before the Champions Trophy in Lahore, Rach rued that he had the services of penalty-corner expert Oliver Kurtz for only 10 days. During the meet, Rach kept in touch with Kurtz in Germany on mobile phone!

8216;8216;I ask for a videographer, they think it is for personal use. I want a laptop, even that is not available. How can a national coach work like this, and still be expected to produce results8217;8217;, says Rach.

The IHF8217;s response: 8216;8216;We have given a computer to assistant coach Jagbir Singh8217;8217;, says IHF secretary K Jothikumaran. The difference is clear. Spain, perennial dark horses, won the Champions Trophy this year, most coaches agreeing that it was their speed, stamina and tactical awareness that helped them, rather than raw skill.

Money? Not funny!
The position of chief coach in Indian hockey has always been 8216;8216;honorary8217;8217;, an anachronism in an era of professionalism in every field. Rach had been working on a verbal 8216;8216;agreement8217;8217; with the IHF to renew it, payment included. The IHF, though, says it8217;s 8216;8216;unable to pay without government support8217;8217;, which begs the question: whatever happened to the deals with Sahara and ESPN?

Out Of Time
Even more frustrating for a coach is the fact that he cannot plan long-term. Rather like openers in India8217;s Test team, this job is a game of musical chairs, average life expectancy around 10 months.

Another fallout is that the coach usually has to watch his back for an overambitious assistant or an outsider looking in. MK Kaushik, for example, had differences with Ramesh Parmeshwaran.

Compare this with the way Hockey Australia functions. Currently looking for a coach, they have placed a global tender with the following specs:

8226;Duration of the contract January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2008
8226;Qualifications of the candidate NCAS Level 3 Hockey Qualification
8226;Last date for applications September 20, 2004
8226;Duties, Responsibilities and Performance Yardsticks
Any wonder they end up with the best?

SPEAKING HIS MIND

SOMETHING GERHARD RACH HAS NEVER BEEN SCARED TO DO

8226; 8220;I want to ask Dhanraj one thing: What has he and India achieved in the last 16 years? There has to be some change. If it doesn8217;t happen now, another 16 years will roll by.8217;8217;
AT THE OLYMPICS, ATHENS

8226; 8216;8216;The superstars in the team were playing to make headlines, while there were many hard-working players who were unselfishly doing all the running on the field to defend and create chances for the forwards.8221;
DURING THE OLYMPICS

8226; 8216;8216;I need time with this bunch, and they can be world class if they are persisted with. But I am not sure of things. Help me if I know. You should ask the federation about that.8217;8217;
BEFORE LEAVING FOR LAHORE

8226; 8216;8216;I have never played games like this, but now I am forced to. It8217;s a pity, but I can8217;t help it8217;8217;.
RACH ON HIS RETURN FROM LAHORE

FIVE STORMY MONTHS

Gerhard Rach8217;s tenure as India coach has been interesting, to say the least. Outspoken, larger-than-life in every possible sense, the German isn8217;t one to perform from the shadows. In analysing his decisions/performance, it8217;s difficult to say which were right, which wrong, which bold and which foolhardy. Here are the highlights so far8230;

8226; Began with the media baying for his blood. Issue was his agreeing to take over the team barely two weeks before the Olympics, aware that there was no time to change things

8226; Next up was the ego clash with senior players. In addition, decided the team would play his way, resulting in confusion, lack of coordination and player angst

8226; Agreed with 8212; or gave in to 8212; the IHF8217;s decision to rest experienced players, including entire forward line 8212; Gagan, Dhanraj, Baljit Dhillon, Prabhjot, Deepak Thakur

8226; Has a habit of speaking his mind, aware of the fallout. Has aired his views on individual players, including seniors like Dhanraj Pillay. And, latterly, made public his grievances against the IHF, lack of facilities, inability to break through the coterie system

8226; Hasn8217;t fought for players8217; rights. E.g., accommodation. His football counterpart Stephen Constantine recently said: 8216;8216;If I don8217;t like a place, I will not stay there, and my boys will not stay there; as simple as that.8217;8217; India8217;s hockey team stayed six to a room during the Champions Trophy camp in Chandigarh

8212; U.G

WHO8217;S NEXT?N

If Rach goes, his replacement should be one of these

Maurits Hendriks
Has the best credentials for the job. A clutch of major titles 8212; including a Champions Trophy and Olympics with Netherlands in 2000 8212; and a resurgent Spain to his credit. Is a hard taskmaster but will he agree to work under the IHF8217;s autocratic ways?

Ric Charlesworth
Has been quite successful with Aussie women8217;s team but has never coached a men8217;s team. Evinced considerable interest in the job, even attending press conferences with the team and keeping track of the players. Believes in India but needs time

M.K. Kaushik
A perennial candidate when the job8217;s going. Led India to Asiad title at Busan but was fired soon after. Led the women8217;s national team to their first-ever Asia Cup win earlier this year. Known for man-management abilities

Jagbir Singh
The favourite, if only because he8217;s the current assistant coach. Knows the team, is suited to the IHF8217;s style of functioning. Known for his ability to analyse, think about the game