The AIFF's national team director had told the Times of India that Xavi's name had appeared among the applicants - with a technical committee member claiming he was considered too expensive.

India's football federation said applications for the national team's head coach role claiming to be from Pep Guardiola and Xavi were "not genuine."

Spaniard Manolo Marquez stepped down earlier this month after just one year and one win in eight games. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.