Igor Stimac one of the best managers I played under: Sunil Chhetri

The 54-year-old Stimac guided India to a historic Asian Cup berth when the Sunil Chhetri-led side made the cut as Group D toppers with three wins on the trot. This was for the first time India made the continental showpiece for a second time in a row.

Read AlsoIf I stay as India coach, the league must start when I say: Igor Stimac

Soon after guiding India to the main round of Asian Cup, Igor Stimac has set conditions for continuing as coach, stressing that the national team players must spend more times together and calling for changes in the domestic football.

Often criticised for his defensive approach, the Croatian won many hearts after they signed off their campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over Hong Kong. "He (Stimac) is one of the best managers that we have played under. The boys are very comfortable. He's very approachable, talks to everyone, treats everyone well. A very warm guy," Chhetri told reporters during an interaction at the new secretariat here. "He played at the top level, so understands the players' psyche. He understands the dressing room and the boys, knows well what to say and what not to say, how to encourage them... it's something he's really good at." A former defender in the Croatian team that reached the World Cup semifinals in 1998, Stimac came on board on a two-year contract in 2019, replacing Englishman Stephen Constantine, who quit following India's group stage exit from the Asia Cup.

Read AlsoWould be great to play Asian Cup at home, I'm hitting my peak: Sunil Chhetri

Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri says the side would love to play the AFC Asian Cup on home soil with the star forward confessing to "hitting my peak" at 37.

Stimac's contract was recently renewed keeping in mind the