If everything goes well, double Olympian Terry Walsh could be Indian hockey's next chief coach. Further, an official announcement will confirm the selection in a week's time. Walsh will replace fellow-Australian former coach Michael Nobbs, who resigned in July this year on health grounds.
Particularly, Walsh's appointment will be cleared from the Sports Authority of India that pays the salaries of all foreign coaches. It is well understood that the 60-year-old Walsh is currently negotiating his salary with the SAI and Hockey India officials and he is expected to come costly.
Since India virtually assured of a place in the World Cup in The Hague next year, the requirement of a chief coach had become essential. Remarkably, high performance manager Roelant Oltmans doubled up as head coach during the Asia Cup in Malaysia in August-September. However, with the Dutchman responsible for overall high performance development of Indian hockey, looking for a chief coach for the senior men's squad is high of high preference on HI's agenda.
According to sources, Hockey India has shortlisted six foreign candidates for the chief coach's post and Walsh was one of the three Aussies in line. Moreover, there were also two Dutch applications but apparently Walsh has the best record.
Besides being a former Olympian, Walsh has an 'emotional' link too. Actually, he has an Indian grandfather but that is not the reason why HI will hire him. The reason for his selection is his experience with Dutch hockey methodology. A well-placed source revealed that Roelant has some fixed ideas, which are typically Dutch. Particularly, Walsh will be suitable for him because he has worked with the Holland team and will be well acquainted with Roelant's line of thinking.
Notably, as a head coach of the Netherlands men's team, Walsh steered the Dutch team to a silver medal at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. He has been classified as a Master Coach by the international hockey federation (FIH) and has previously served as a head coach for the Australian men's squad from 1997-2000.
In addition, Walsh had led Australia to a bronze medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Walsh served as an elite coaching consultant and software development manager from 2001-03 for Sydney-based SportsTec, which is a leading provider of sports training technology. Moreover, he served as a consultant to the US women's team as well as former national team coach Pam Hixon at the 1996 Olympic Games.
In fact, Walsh was first picked to play for Western Australia in 1974. Such was the quality of his debut that he was at once chosen in the national team for the World Cup at Malaysia in 1975. Notably, India won the world championship that year under Ajitpal Singh's captaincy. No doubt, Walsh proceeded to play 175 internationals prior retiring following Australia's World Cup victory in London in 1986. There he scored one of Australia's 2 goals in the final against Germany.
Walsh played exclusively as a striker where his great attributes were fiery speed apart from strength. As a mature player, Walsh developed fabulous ball skills and highly sensitive tactical knowledge. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury on the way through his career almost dulled his speed. However, Walsh adjusted to this situation with his astute positional play as well as exceptional leading qualities.
Following four World Cup campaigns, a silver medallion at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, selection for the Moscow and Los Angeles Games, he quitted in 1986. Specifically, Walsh was the leading goal-scorer at the 1984 LA Olympics and is recognized as one of Australia's finest ever strikers.
Therefore, Walsh will be an expensive hire. Nobbs was granted a monthly salary of $11000 (AUS) (approximately Rs 75 lakh) at the time of his resignation. Walsh could be demanding for nearly $15,000 per month with adequate paid tickets to fly back home.
In lines with tenure with the Indian teams, Nobbs has been the most successful coach. Actually, he was appointed in June 2011 and resigned in July 2013 due to acute hypertension. The Aussie is currently undergoing treatment at residence.
With World Cup on the way and Rio Games due in 2016, India requires a long-term coach to prepare a young squad for an Olympic medal. However, a final decision on Walsh will be declared next week.
