View source for Igor Štimac

{{Short description|Croatian football coach and former footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Igor Štimac
| image = Igor Štimac 2016.jpg
| caption = Štimac as [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] head coach in 2016
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|9|6|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Metković]], [[Socialist Republic of Croatia|SR Croatia]], [[Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia|Yugoslavia]]
| height = 1.88 m
| position = [[Defender (association football)#Centre-back|Centre-back]]
| currentclub = 
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = [[NK Neretva|Neretva Metković]]
| youthyears2 = 1984–1985
| youthclubs2 = [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]]
| years1 = 1985–1992
| clubs1 = [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]]
| caps1 = 64
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 1986–1987
| clubs2 = → [[HNK Cibalia|Dinamo Vinkovci]] (loan)
| caps2 = 31
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 1992–1994
| clubs3 = [[Cádiz CF|Cádiz]]
| caps3 = 62
| goals3 = 4
| years4 = 1994–1995
| clubs4 = [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]]
| caps4 = 27
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 1995–1999
| clubs5 = [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
| caps5 = 84
| goals5 = 3
| years6 = 1999–2001
| clubs6 = [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| caps6 = 43
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2001–2002
| clubs7 = [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]]
| caps7 = 11
| goals7 = 2
| totalcaps = 322
| totalgoals = 17
| nationalyears1 = 1987
| nationalteam1 = [[Yugoslavia national under-20 football team|Yugoslavia U20]]
| nationalcaps1 = 14
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 1990–2002
| nationalteam2 = [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]]
| nationalcaps2 = 53
| nationalgoals2 = 2
| manageryears1 = 2005
| managerclubs1 = [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]]
| manageryears2 = 2006
| managerclubs2 = [[HNK Cibalia|Cibalia]]
| manageryears3 = 2009–2010
| managerclubs3 = [[NK Zagreb]]
| manageryears4 = 2012–2013
| managerclubs4 = [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]]
| manageryears5 = 2015
| managerclubs5 = [[NK Zadar|Zadar]]
| manageryears6 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs6 = [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]]
| manageryears7 = 2016–2017
| managerclubs7 = [[Al Shahaniya SC|Al-Shahania]]
| manageryears8 = 2019–2024
| managerclubs8 = [[India national football team|India]]
| manageryears9 = 2019–2023
| managerclubs9 = [[India national under-23 football team|India U23]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[Association football|football]]}} 
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|YUG}}}}
{{MedalGold | [[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]|[[1987 FIFA World Youth Championship|1987]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship|UEFA U-21 Euro]]|[[1990 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship|1990]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|CRO}}}}
{{MedalBronze | [[FIFA World Cup]]|[[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]]}}
}}
 
'''Igor Štimac''' ({{IPA|sh|îgor ʃtǐːmats|pron}};<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hjp.znanje.hr/index.php?show=search_by_id&id=fVtjXBE%3D|title=Ȉgor|quote=Ȉgor|website=Hrvatski jezični portal|access-date=17 March 2018|language=sh}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://hjp.znanje.hr/index.php?show=search_by_id&id=d1duWhE%3D&keyword=%C5%A1timati|title=štȉmati|quote=Štímac|website=Hrvatski jezični portal|access-date=17 March 2018|language=sh}}</ref> born 6 September 1967) is a Croatian professional [[Association football|football]] [[Manager (association football)|manager]] and former [[Football player|player]].

In his playing career, Štimac had three spells with [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]] and also played for [[Cádiz CF|Cádiz]] in Spain, and for [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] and [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] in England. He represented the [[Croatia national football team|Croatia national team]] 53 times, playing at [[UEFA Euro 1996|Euro 1996]] and at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998 World Cup]], when Croatia finished third. He also represented [[Yugoslavia national under-20 football team|Yugoslavia]] when they won the [[1987 FIFA World Youth Championship]].

As a manager, Štimac was in charge of the Croatia national team from 2012 to 2013. In club football, he has had brief spells in charge of Hajduk Split, [[HNK Cibalia|Cibalia]], [[NK Zagreb]], [[NK Zadar|Zadar]], Iranian club [[Sepahan]] and Qatari club [[Al-Shahania Sports Club|Al-Shahania]]. On 15 May 2019, Štimac was appointed as the head coach of the [[India national football team]] on a two-year contract,<ref name="coach app. 2019 stimac">{{cite web |title=AIFF APPOINTS IGOR STIMAC AS NEW MEN'S SENIOR NATIONAL TEAM COACH |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9674 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=15 May 2019}}</ref> where he served as the head coach until 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-17 |title=Igor Stimac Sacked As Head Coach Of Indian Football Team, AIFF To Pay Hefty Compensation of 3 Crore? - Know Why |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/football/igor-stimac-sacked-as-head-coach-of-indian-football-team-article-111063845 |access-date=2024-06-17 |website=Times Now |language=en}}</ref>

==Club career==
At the club level Štimac played for his local Croatian club [[Hajduk Split]] and, most notably, the English club [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Croatian World Cupper Igor Stimac set to be appointed coach |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/croatian-world-cupper-igor-stimac-set-to-be-appointed-indian-football-team-coach/articleshow/69253994.cms |newspaper=The Times of India |date=10 May 2019 |publisher=TOI |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A new dawn for Indian football? |url=https://www.livemint.com/mint-lounge/features/a-new-dawn-for-indian-football-1558679931615.html |website=livemint.com |date=25 May 2019 |publisher=Live Mint |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Stay a legend and a hero!' - Derby County fans on Igor Stimac links |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stay-legend-hero-derby-county-1594520 |newspaper=Derbyshirelive |date=22 May 2018 |publisher=Derbyshire Live |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref> Štimac arrived at the [[Baseball Ground]] on 31 October 1995 for a fee of £1.5 million from Hajduk Split.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shoot.co.uk/cult-heroes-derby-countys-igor-stimac/|title=Cult Heroes: Derby County's Igor Stimac|first=Daniel|last=Church|date=7 October 2016|publisher=Shoot.co.uk}}</ref> He scored a goal on his debut for [[Derby County F.C.|the Rams]] away at [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere]], but the Rams fell to a heavy 5–1 defeat. The rest of the season was more successful, as Derby gained promotion and remained unbeaten in 20 consecutive matches. During this time he formed a strong partnership with [[Dean Yates]] in the centre of Derby's defence.

Štimac played nearly four years with the Rams,<ref>{{cite web |title=RAMSTV MEETS... IGOR STIMAC (PART 1) |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2018/05/ramstv-meets-igor-stimac-part-1 |website=dcfc.co.uk |publisher=Derby County Football club |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=EX-PLAYER INTERVIEW: IGOR STIMAC (PART 1) |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2013/12/ex-player-interview-igor-stimac-part-1 |website=dcfc.co.uk |publisher=Derby County Football Club |access-date=28 May 2019}}</ref> and made 84 league appearances for the Rams, in addition to seven [[FA Cup]] appearances and two League Cup appearances. He was sold on 29 August 1999 to [[West Ham United]] for £600,000, where he scored once, against Newcastle United.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportinglife.com/football/premiership/westham/reports/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/00/01/03/SOCCER_Newcastle_Nightlead.html&TEAMHD=westham&DIV=prem&TEAM=WEST--HAM&RH=West--Ham&PREV_SEASON=1998 |title=Newcastle 2 West Ham 2 |work=Sporting Life |date=3 January 2000 |access-date=31 December 2009}} {{dead link|date=July 2017}}</ref>

==International career==
Štimac played for the [[Croatia national football team|Croatia national team]], winning 53 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] and scoring two goals,<ref>{{cite web|author=Mamrud, Roberto|title=Croatia - Record International Players|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/kroa-recintlp.html|date=16 July 2009|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=15 October 2009}}</ref> and formed part of a Croatia squad that won the bronze medal at the [[1998 FIFA World Cup]]. His final international was a February 2002 [[Exhibition game|friendly match]] against [[Bulgaria national football team|Bulgaria]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=20145|title=Player Database|accessdate=29 December 2022|website=EU-football}}</ref>

Previously, Štimac was a member of the highly talented [[Yugoslavia national under-20 football team|Yugoslavia under-20 team]] that won the [[1987 FIFA World Youth Championship]] in Chile, playing four games and scoring two goals in the tournament.<ref>{{FIFA player|155703}}</ref>

===International goals===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;"
!Goal
!Date
!Venue
!Opponent
!Score
!Result
!Competition
|-
|1
|3 September 1995
|[[Stadion Maksimir|Maksimir]], [[Zagreb]], Croatia
|{{fb|EST}}
|{{center|'''6'''&nbsp;– 1}}
|{{center|7&nbsp;– 1}}
|[[UEFA Euro 1996 qualifying|Euro 1996 Qualifying]]
|-
|2
|26 March 1996
|[[Stadion Varteks]], [[Varaždin]], Croatia
|{{fb|ISR}}
|{{center|'''1'''&nbsp;– 0}}
|{{center|2&nbsp;– 0}}
|[[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|}

==Managerial career==

[[File:Igor Štimac in Sepahan training.jpg|thumb|200px|Štimac during [[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]] training session in November 2015]]

===Early days===
Štimac started his managerial career in 2001, taking charge of the [[Hajduk Split]] football academy and also acting as the club's sport director. Hajduk won two championships during this time (2003–04 and 2004–05). In 2004–05 season he took managerial position for the last 10 games after replacing [[Blaž Slišković]]. With many difficulties he managed to win championship but lost the cup final to [[HNK Rijeka]]. In the spring of 2006, he also spent a few months coaching Croatian first division side [[HNK Cibalia|Cibalia]], saving them from relegation. On 14 September 2009, he was appointed as the new [[NK Zagreb]] manager after they lost the first seven games of the season, replacing Luka Pavlović.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportnet.rtl.hr/vijesti/383284/nogomet-1-hnl/igor-stimac-preuzima-kranjcevicevu/|title=Igor Štimac preuzima Kranjčevićevu|date=14 September 2009|first=Mihaela|last=Bradovski|access-date=30 May 2019|archive-date=30 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190530161630/https://sportnet.rtl.hr/vijesti/383284/nogomet-1-hnl/igor-stimac-preuzima-kranjcevicevu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> However Štimac managed to save NK Zagreb from relegation and left the club at the end of the season.

===Croatia national team===
On 5 July 2012, Štimac was appointed as the new [[Croatia national football team]] manager, after the departure of his former national team teammate [[Slaven Bilić]]. His first match as Croatia manager came in a friendly game against [[Switzerland national football team|Switzerland]] at [[Stadion Poljud|Poljud Stadium]], which ended in a disappointing 2–4 loss.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hrvatska razočarala na početku Štimčeva mandata|url=http://www.hrsport.net/vijesti/445225/nogomet-reprezentacija/video-hrvatska-razocarala-na-pocetku-stimceva-mandata/|access-date=31 January 2013}}</ref> Despite that loss, Croatia entered the [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – UEFA Group A|2014 World Cup qualifies]] in decent fashion, taking 16 points from first six games. However, the results were not representative of Croatia's form on the pitch, as the team only had a goal difference of +7 from those six matches and scored the majority of their goals from set pieces, counterattacks, and defensive errors by their opponents.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2021318-luka-modric-and-ivan-rakitic-croatias-terrifying-midfield-axis|title=Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic: Croatia's Terrifying Midfield Axis|date=8 April 2014|work=Bleacher Report}}</ref> Then started a period of very poor results starting with a 0–1 loss to [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at [[Maksimir Stadium|Maksimir]] on 7 June 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/334709/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|title=Great Scots shock Croatia|date=7 June 2013|work=ESPN Soccernet}}</ref> Following this Croatia lost 0–1 in a friendly match to [[Portugal national football team|Portugal]] on 10 June 2013 and then barely beat 148th ranked [[Liechtenstein national football team|Liechtenstein]] 3–2 in a friendly match thanks to an 86th-minute goal by [[Eduardo da Silva|Eduardo]] on 14 August 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/107795/croatia-vs-portugal/report|title=Croatia vs Portugal Match Report|date=10 June 2013|work=goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/gamecast/statistics/id/370685/statistics.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|title=Croatia 3-2 Liechtenstein|date=14 August 2013|work=ESPN Soccernet}}</ref>

In their next world cup qualifying match, Croatia drew 1–1 against rivals [[Serbia national football team|Serbia]] in Belgrade, despite only having one shot on target and two shots overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/334729/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|title=Feisty Affair In Belgrade|date=6 September 2013|work=ESPN Soccernet}}</ref> This was followed by another loss at home at Maksimir, this time to eventual group winners [[Belgian national football team|Belgium]] with a result of 1–2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/334772/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|title=Lukaku secures finals berth|date=11 October 2013|work=ESPN Soccernet}}</ref> With only one World Cup qualifying match to go, Štimac had become widely unpopular in Croatia with one poll conducted by popular domestic newspaper ''[[24sata (Croatia)|24sata]]'' resulting in 98% of voters in favor of sacking Štimac.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/FIFA-World-Cup-2014/news/15241/9236343/out-of-the-shadows|title=Out of the shadows|date=9 April 2014|work=SkySports}}</ref> On 15 October 2013, Croatia lost their final World Cup qualifying match 0–2 against Scotland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/us/en/report/334793/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5901|title=Scots do the double over Croatia|date=15 October 2013|work=ESPN Soccernet}}</ref> After the 0–2 loss to Scotland, Štimac tendered his resignation to the [[Croatian Football Federation|HNS]] president, former star footballer and national team teammate of Štimac, [[Davor Šuker]]. The following day, Šuker accepted his resignation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/suker-prihvatio-stimcevu--ostavku-io-hns-danas--donosi-odluku-o-novom-izborniku-/1133172/|title=Šuker prihvatio ostavku Štimca|date=16 October 2013|work=jutarnji.hr}}</ref> Croatia ending qualifying as the second to last ranked second place team, having only one more point than last placed [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]], thus taking the final play-off round spot.

Despite some criticism Štimac managed to take the [[FIFA World Rankings|FIFA Ranking]] of Croatia to 4th position just behind [[Spain national football team|Spain]], [[Germany national football team|Germany]] and [[Argentina national football team|Argentina]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/fifa-rankings-croatia-officially-4th-in-the-world/|title=FIFA Rankings: Croatia Officially 4th In The World|date=11 April 2013|work=Croatiaweek.com}}</ref> Players like [[Mateo Kovačić]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sportnet.rtl.hr/vijesti/458465/nogomet-reprezentacija/stimac-odluku-o-kovacicu-prelomio-sam-sinoc-odigrao-je-za-desetku/|title=Štimac: "Odluku o Kovačiću 'prelomio' sam sinoć, odigrao je za desetku"|date=22 March 2013|work=sportnet.rtl.hr|access-date=8 May 2019|archive-date=8 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508142713/https://sportnet.rtl.hr/vijesti/458465/nogomet-reprezentacija/stimac-odluku-o-kovacicu-prelomio-sam-sinoc-odigrao-je-za-desetku/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and [[Alen Halilović]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/06/10/world/friendlies/croatia/portugal/1470059/|title=CROATIAVS.PORTUGAL0-1|date=10 June 2013|work=soccerway.com}}</ref> also made their debuts for the Croatia national team during Štimac's stint.

===Zadar===
In the beginning of 2015, Štimac was named as new manager at [[Croatian First Football League|Prva HNL]] club [[NK Zadar|Zadar]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jutarnji.hr/novo-ime-u-stanovima--igor-stimac-nasljednik-cire--blazevica-na-klupi-zadra/1269995/|title=Štimac trener Zadra|date=7 January 2015|work=jutarnji.hr}}</ref> Štimac quit after only six months in charge, as club was administratively relegated to second division by the licensing board of the HNS due to financial irregularities 3 games before the league ended.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.hrt.hr/292343/igor-stimac-vise-nije-trener-zadra|title=Štimac dao ostavku na mjestu trenera Zadra|date=16 July 2015|work=jutarnji.hr}}</ref> Following Štimac's resignation, Zadar club president Josip Bajlo said, "I would like to thank Mr. Štimac for the five months that he has worked in Zadar, and he has still done the best in such situation".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kalelargainfo.hr/novi-problemi-nk-zadar-trener-igor-stimac-dao-ostavku/|title=NEW PROBLEMS OF NK ZADAR Coach Igor Štimac resigned|date=17 July 2015|work=kalelargainfo.hr}}</ref>

===Sepahan===
[[File:Igor Štimac - Sepahan vs. Naft Tehran.jpg|thumb|250px|Štimac during a match between Sepahan and [[Naft Tehran]]]]
On 12 November 2015, Štimac became head coach of [[Sepahan]], replacing [[Hossein Faraki]]. He resigned as Sepahan head coach on 20 April 2016, after a run of unsuccessful results which led Sepahan in the 11th place and out of both season's cups, [[Hazfi Cup]] and [[AFC Champions League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.germanijak.hr/vijesti/stimac-nakon-sest-mjeseci-napustio-iranski-sepahan/19658|title=Štimac nakon šest mjeseci napustio iranski Sepahan|date=21 April 2016|publisher=Germanijak.hr}}</ref>

===India national team===
On 15 May 2019, the [[All India Football Federation]] announced Štimac as the country's head coach after the departure of [[Stephen Constantine]].<ref name="coach app. 2019 stimac"/> His first campaign with India was [[2019 King's Cup]] where his first match as head coach was against [[Curaçao national football team|Curaçao]], which ended up as a 3−1 loss<ref>{{cite web |title=NEW LOOK BLUE TIGERS GO DOWN TO CURACAO |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9733 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> where he gave six players their international debut<ref>{{cite web |title=SIX NEWLY-CAPPED BLUE TIGERS RECALL 'UNFORGETTABLE AND EMOTIONAL' DEBUT |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9737 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref> but in the next match against the host [[Thailand national football team|Thailand]] he managed the team to a 1−0 victory earning third place in the tournament and his first win as head coach.<ref>{{cite web |title=YOUNG INDIA BEAT THAILAND, FINISH THIRD IN KING'S CUP |url=https://the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9743 |website=the-aiff.com |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 June 2019}}</ref>

For [[2022 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|2022 World Cup qualification]], Štimac's campaign with India started with a 1–2 home loss to [[Oman national football team|Oman]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Late Oman comeback sinks India |date=5 September 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9899 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> but he steered the team to a respectable draw against the [[2019 AFC Asian Cup Final|2019 Asian Champion]] and [[2022 FIFA World Cup]] hosts [[Qatar national football team|Qatar]].<ref>{{cite web |title=India holds Asian champion Qatar to goalless draw |date=11 September 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9912 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref> Despite this, India only managed draws against much lower ranked teams, [[Bangladesh national football team|Bangladesh]] at home and [[Afghanistan national football team|Afghanistan]] away.<ref>{{cite web |title=India, Bangladesh play out a draw out in World Cup qualifier |date=15 October 2019|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=9981 |publisher=AIFF |access-date=15 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Super sub Doungel helps Blue Tigers earns a point in Dushanbe |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=10027 |access-date=16 November 2019 |publisher=AIFF |date=14 November 2019}}</ref> India were beaten by Oman<ref>{{Cite news |title=India lose 0-1 to Oman, virtually out of contention for FIFA World Cup berth &#124; Football News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/india-lose-0-1-to-oman-virtually-out-of-contention-for-fifa-world-cup-berth/articleshow/72131818.cms |website=[[The Times of India]]|date=19 November 2019 }}</ref> and Qatar,<ref>{{cite web |title=India 0-1 Qatar: 10 men Blue Tigers go down against the Asian champions {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/live/2022-fifa-world-cup-qualifier-india-vs-qatar-live/d2m5mgzxwckx1kliy7igmc4ja}}</ref> gained only a draw with Afghanistan, and their only win in qualification came with a 2–0 victory over neighbour Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bangladesh 0-2 India: Sunil Chhetri double hands Blue Tigers crucial win {{!}} Goal.com |url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/live/2022-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers-live-bangladesh-india/1ubujkmicm9rn1idk5ctndu1h3}}</ref> A third place finish with only six points meant India did not qualify for the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]]. However, it was India's highest position since the [[2002 FIFA World Cup qualification (AFC)|2002 qualification]] and guaranteed India a place in the upcoming [[2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/india-vs-afghanistan-fifa-world-cup-2022-afc-asian-cup-2023-qualifiers-live-score-streaming-updates-sunil-chhetri/article34822359.ece|title = World Cup qualifiers highlights: India, Afghanistan play out 1-1 draw| date=15 June 2021 }}</ref>

Under Štimac, India reached the [[2023 AFC Asian Cup]] finals in Qatar after a 2–0 victory over [[Cambodia national football team|Cambodia]], a 2–1 victory over Afghanistan and a 4–0 victory over [[Hong Kong national football team|Hong Kong]], on 8, 11 and 14 June 2022 respectively, at the [[Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan]] stadium in [[Kolkata]]. This was the first time India qualified twice in a row for the AFC Asian Cup.

===2023: India unbeaten runs===
As coach of the India national team, Štimac achieved 12 victories (up to 9 June 2023) when India overcame [[Mongolia national football team|Mongolia]] 2–0 at the [[Kalinga Stadium]] in Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. This surpassed his previous best of 11 wins as coach for NK Zagreb.

On 22 and 28 March 2023 respectively, Štimac led India to a 1–0 victory over [[Myanmar national football team|Myanmar]] and a 2–0 victory over [[Kyrgyzstan national football team|Kyrgyzstan]] at the [[Khuman Lampak Main Stadium|Khuman Lampak]] in Imphal. These were the first internationals to be played in northeast India and culminated in India winning the 2023 Tri-Nations Series Trophy, under Štimac's guidance.

On 18 June 2023, under Štimac's leadership, India won a second [[Intercontinental Cup (India)|Intercontinental Cup]] after overcoming [[Lebanon national football team|Lebanon]] 2–0 in the final at the Kalinga Stadium.

Under Štimac, on 24 June 2023 at the [[Sree Kanteerava Stadium]] in Bengaluru, India achieved eight consecutive clean sheets with a 2–0 victory over [[Nepal national football team|Nepal]], breaking the previous record of seven between 3 June 1948 and 23 March 1952. It was also India's ninth consecutive clean sheet at home (stretching back to the 4–0 victory over Hong Kong on 14 June 2022), the 11th of an undefeated run (from the 22 March 2023 victory over Myanmar), and the 15th undefeated at home (since a 15 October 2019 draw with Bangladesh). The latter run includes 10 wins, three draws and two draws that ended as penalty shoot-out wins - the last being an extended penalty shoot-out victory at home against [[Kuwait national football team|Kuwait]] on 4 July 2023 in the [[2023 SAFF Championship#Final|2023 SAFF Championship Final]].

Štimac became the first foreign head coach to win back-to-back SAFF Championship titles. The 2023 SAFF Championship was the first time India had defeated two West Asian countries in back-to-back matches, after winning the semi-final against Lebanon, also on penalties.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.the-aiff.com/article/ninth-saff-title-lands-in-the-safe-hands-of-gurpreet-singh-sandhu| title = Ninth SAFF title lands in the safe hands of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu}}</ref>

Štimac has led India to three titles in 2023, the most ever won by India in a calendar year.

Igor Stimac, the current head coach of the India national football team, is poised to become the longest-serving coach in the history of independent India. Stimac, who has been at the helm since 2019, received a contract extension that will keep him in charge of both the senior and under-23 men’s national football teams until June 2026.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newssportsbook.com/igor-stimacs-contract-renewed-iuntil-2028|website=newssportsbook|title=Igor Stimac's Contract Renewed: India's Longest-Serving Head Coach Until 2028}}</ref> Furthermore, if Stimac guides India to the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, which commence in November 2024, his contract will automatically be renewed until 2028.

===2024: Poor run and termination===
India lost all matches in the group stage, against [[Australia]] (0–2), [[Uzbekistan]] (0–3), and [[Syria]] (0-1). India was the worst-ranked according to points table and goal difference in the competition. Following the poor run of results during the AFC Asian cup and India's second round exit during the [[2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC second round|2026 FIFA World Cup qualification]] campaign, Štimac was sacked by the AIFF on 24 June 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |title=AIFF Statement |url=https://www.the-aiff.com/article/aiff-statement-32 |date=24 June 2024 |website=AIFF }}</ref>

===India U23===
Štimac took charge of the [[India national under-23 football team]] at the start of their qualification campaign for the 2022 AFC Under-23 Cup in Uzbekistan, by playing three games for Group E in the centralised venue at the Fujairah Stadium, [[Fujairah]], UAE. On 24 October 2021, he started with a 2–1 victory over the Oman U23 team in Group E encounter in Fujairah.

==Managerial statistics==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=June 2024}}
{{Updated|match played 11 June 2024}}

{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
! rowspan="2" |Nat
! rowspan="2" |From 
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]]
|{{Flagicon|CRO}}
| align="left" |10 April 2005
|align=left|1 July 2005
{{WDL|12|4|5|3|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[NK Zagreb]]
|{{Flagicon|CRO}}
| align="left" |14 September 2009
|align=left|14 May 2010
{{WDL|27|11|7|9|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[Croatia national football team|Croatia]]
|{{Flagicon|CRO}}
| align="left" |5 July 2012
|align=left|16 October 2013
{{WDL|15|8|2|5|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[NK Zadar|Zadar]]
|{{Flagicon|CRO}}
| align="left" |8 January 2015
|align=left|16 July 2015
{{WDL|19|5|4|10|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[Sepahan S.C.|Sepahan]]
|{{Flagicon|IRN}}
| align="left" |11 November 2015
|align=left|21 April 2016
{{WDL|21|2|11|8|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[Al-Shahania SC|Al-Shahania]]
|{{Flagicon|QAT}}
| align="left" |28 December 2016
|align=left|23 May 2017
{{WDL|16|2|7|7|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[India national football team|India]]
|{{Flagicon|IND}}
| align="left" |15 May 2019
|align=left|11 June 2024
{{WDL|53|19|14|20|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[India national under-23 football team|India U23]]
|{{Flagicon|IND}}
| align="left" |15 May 2019
|align=left|11 June 2024
{{WDL|9|2|4|3|decimals=1}}
|-
! colspan="4" |Total
{{WDLtot|172|53|54|65|decimals=1}}
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Hajduk Split'''
*[[Croatian Football League|Croatian First League]]: [[1992 Croatian First Football League|1992]], [[1994–95 Croatian First Football League|1994–95]]
*[[Croatian Football Cup|Croatian Cup]]: [[1994–95 Croatian Football Cup|1995]]
*[[Yugoslav Cup]]: [[1990–91 Yugoslav Cup|1991]]
*[[Croatian Football Super Cup|Croatian Super Cup]]: [[1994 Croatian Football Super Cup|1994]]

'''Derby County'''
*[[Football League First Division|First Division]] runner-up: [[1995–96 Football League First Division|1995–96]]

'''Yugoslavia U-20'''
*[[FIFA U-20 World Cup]]: [[1987 FIFA World Youth Championship|1987]]

===Manager===
'''Hajduk Split'''
*[[Croatian Football League|Croatian First League]]: [[2004–05 Croatian First Football League|2004–05]]

'''India'''
*[[SAFF Championship]]: [[2021 SAFF Championship|2021]], [[2023 SAFF Championship|2023]] 
*[[Tri-Nation Series (India)|Tri-Nation Series]]: [[2023 Tri-Nation Series (India)|2023]]
*[[Intercontinental Cup (India)|InterContinental Cup]]: [[2023 Intercontinental Cup (India)|2023]]

===Orders===
*[[File:Order of DH Franjo Bučar.jpg|50px]] [[Order of Danica Hrvatska|Order of Danica Hrvatska with face of Franjo Bučar]] – 1995<ref>{{cite news | url = http://hrvatska.poslovniforum.hr/nn-arhiva/00025/0256f.asp|title = ODLUKU KOJOM SE ODLIKUJU REDOM DANICE HRVATSKE S LIKOM FRANJE BUČARA | language = hr | publisher= hrvatska.poslovniforum.hr}}</ref>
*[[File:Ribbon of an Order of the Croatian Trefoil.png|50px]] [[Order of the Croatian Trefoil]] – 1998<ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.hrt.hr/arhiv/98/07/12/h2_hrv.html|title = PREDSJEDNIK TUDJMAN ODLIKOVAO HRVATSKU NOGOMETNU REPREZENTACIJU | language = hr | publisher= hrt.hr}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{sports links}}
*[http://www.hajduk.hr/?otvori=klub&kat=treneri&trener=igor-stimac Igor Štimac profile] at [[HNK Hajduk Split|Hajduk Split]] website {{in lang|hr}}

{{Navboxes
| title = International tournaments
| list1 = 
{{Croatia squad UEFA Euro 1996}}
{{Croatia squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{India squad 2023 AFC Asian Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 =
{{HNK Hajduk Split managers}}
{{HNK Cibalia managers}}
{{NK Zagreb managers}}
{{Croatia national football team managers}}
{{NK Zadar managers}}
{{Sepahan F.C. managers}}
{{India national football team managers}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stimac, Igor}}
[[Category:1967 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Metković]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Yugoslav men's footballers]]
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[[Category:UEFA Euro 1996 players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:HNK Hajduk Split players]]
[[Category:HNK Cibalia players]]
[[Category:Cádiz CF players]]
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[[Category:Croatian football managers]]
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[[Category:Croatian expatriate sportspeople in India]]
[[Category:HNK Hajduk Split non-playing staff]]
[[Category:2023 AFC Asian Cup managers]]