Houghton appointed national football coach

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) Bob Houghton was today appointed chief coach of Indian football team after his name was approved by All India Football Federation President (AIFF) Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi.

Houghton was chosen ahead of Irishman Brian Kerr who was also interviewed by AIFF Technical Committee on May 24.

Former PSV Eindhoven and Nigeria coach Clemence Westerhoff and ex-Chelsea manager Ian Potterfield, who were also shortlisted for the post did not turn up for the interview.

AIFF General Secretary Alberto Colaco said in a release here that after due deliberations, the Technical Committee has recommended Houghton's appointment as chief coach of Indian national football team and AIFF President has accepted the recommendation.

The Englishman will join the team on June 20.

The remaining members of the technical and other team officials including assistant coach, goalkeeper coach, technical director and physiotherapist will be announced separately, the release said.

Houghton played English Premiere League for Fulham from 1966 to 69 and for Brighton from 1969 to 1970 before taking to coaching.

He has coached top clubs of Africa, Asia, North America and Europe in his 30-year foreign experience including Al Itihad of Saudi Arabia (1985-87; 1993), Gothenburg of Sweden (1987-89), FC Zurich (1994-96) and guided Sweden's little known club Malmo to UEFA Cup final in 1979.

Houghton remained as coach of a couple of chinese club sides since 1997 and took the national team to 2002 World Cup in Korea-Japan. He continued in China even after the mega event as coaching instructor before moving on to Uzbekistan for a one-year stint as coach of national team last year. He then returned to China and is now coach of Super League team Shenyang Ginda.

Houghton is the youngest ever coach to gain an English FA A Licence and has also authored three books.

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