Ranjit Banjaj's Rejects U-15 Coach Spot; Cites Playing Style And Support Staff As Reasons
Bajaj was offered the role largely because of the remarkable international success of his Minerva Academy in recent years
Xtra Time Web Desk: Ranjit Bajaj's latest decision has left the Indian football fraternity stunned. He was offered the role of team manager for India's FIFA U-15 World Cup squad, but he turned it down. At the same time, Bibiano Fernandes was appointed head coach. Bajaj explained that he and Bibiano have very different footballing philosophies, and that was the reason he chose not to work alongside him. His explanation, however, has sparked widespread debate.
Bajaj was offered the role largely because of the remarkable international success of his Minerva Academy in recent years. He first made headlines in Indian football when Minerva Punjab FC won the I-League title in the 2017–18 season. However, it is the academy's recent achievements on the international stage that have once again brought him into the spotlight.
Minerva Academy defeated some of the world's top youth academies to win Sweden's prestigious Gothia Cup in back-to-back editions. This year, they went one step further by lifting the Helsinki Cup as well, completing a remarkable European double. The achievement earned widespread recognition across Europe, with Minerva Academy making headlines and attracting praise from all quarters. Throughout both tournaments, Bajaj not only served as the team's manager but also played a key role in its technical and tactical planning.
Following that success, the All India Football Federation moved quickly and appointed him as manager of India's U-15 World Cup team. Instead of accepting the role, however, Bajaj's decision has created an unexpected controversy.
Interestingly, after Minerva's Gothia Cup triumph, Bajaj had publicly appealed to the federation to hand him charge of the U-15 team, insisting that he could deliver success. His appeal also received significant public backing, with nearly 300,000 people voting in support of his appointment. The federation eventually responded by offering him the role.
That is why his refusal has raised so many questions. If he had been campaigning for the opportunity, why reject it once it was finally offered? His explanation has only added to the confusion, leaving many within Indian football struggling to understand the reasoning behind such an unexpected decision.