With nearly ten years of I-League coaching experience, Kashyap is a former India international. The 58-year-old has also assisted with NorthEast United FC and Odisha FC as a coach.
The All India Football Federation appointed Santosh Kashyap as the new head coach of the Indian senior women’s team on Monday, September 16, 2024.
Raghuvir Pravin Khanolkar will coach the goalkeepers, while Priya PV will serve as Kashyap’s assistant coach.
Kashyap said: “Coaching the National Team is always an honour. I am grateful to the AIFF President, Shri Kalyan Chaubey, the technical committee, the technical department and other senior members of the federation for providing me the opportunity to coach the Senior National Women’s Team.”
Kashyap is known for his tactical acumen and ability to develop young talent. His coaching style often emphasizes disciplined defending, strategic attacking, and adaptability to different opponents.
Kashyap began his coaching journey by training the Maharashtra U19 women’s team for the National Championship in the early years of this century. Kashyap’s experience with youth development could lead to greater emphasis on integrating young and emerging talents into the national team. This could help build a more dynamic and competitive squad for the future.
Kashyap’s first assignment will be the SAFF Women’s Championship to be held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from October 17 to 30, 2024. A 29-member squad for the tournament will camp in Goa for its preparation from September 20. While there would be challenges in transitioning to the national team setup, Kashyap’s experience and approach could play a crucial role in advancing Indian football on the international stage.
