Salary only hindrance in Terry Walsh's appointment as India's hockey coach
Former Australia coach, Walsh's name has emerged as the front-runner for Michael Nobbs' successor from the six applications received by the Hockey India.
Salary remains the only stumbling block in Terry Walsh's likely appointment as new foreign coach of Indian men's hockey team as the Australian is demanding a hefty pay cheque, according to sources in the Sports Authority India.
Former Australia coach, Walsh's name has emerged as the front-runner for Michael Nobbs' successor from the six applications received by the Hockey India.
According to sources, presently negotiations are on between Walsh and SAI on the double Olympian's salary and an official announcement on this front is expected in a week's time.
It has been learnt that Walsh is demanding a heftier pay cheque, somewhere in the range of 14,000-15,000 Australian Dollars per month, for accepting the high-profile job.
Nobbs was receiving a monthly salary of 11,000 Australian Dollars (approximately Rs 75 lakh) at the time of his resignation.
SAI pays the salaries of all foreign coaches and it is bargaining hard with the 60-year-old, who also coached the Netherlands men's team. SAI will forward the name of the selected candidate to the Sports Ministry for its final approval.
Nobbs resigned from his position on health grounds (acute hypertension) in July this year and the post has been lying vacant since then.
Hockey India shortlisted four foreign candidates out of the six applications received. Walsh was one of the three Australians in fray apart from two Dutchmen.
Walsh, who previously served as head coach for the Australian men's team from 1997-2000, has the best credentials to serve Indian hockey as he was a member of the Olympic silver-medal winning Australian team in 1976 and later coached the national team to a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games.
It has been also learnt that the new coach could well be given a contract till the Rio Olympics.