MUMBAI: Is Harendra Singh going to become the next Indian hockey coach? Nothing can be said with certainty yet, but if informed sources are to be believed, the Air India coach is the most likely candidate to replace MK Kaushik in case the latter decides to stay with the women’s team.

In fact, a key member of the ad-hoc committee confirmed they are unlikely to search for another candidate for the chief coach’s post.

“There has been enough confusion already. And there’s not much time either. We would definitely like to have Kaushik, but it’s entirely up to him. We would not like to force anyone. Harendra has done well as the junior team’s coach. But nothing has been finalised yet. We shall take a decision in a couple of days,” he said.

Kaushik, who currently coaches the Indian women’s team, was named as the men’s team chief coach last week. Three former India players – goalkeeper Romeo James, midfielder Ramandeep Singh besides Harendra – were named as assistant coaches. They were supposed to be in charge of the team till the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games in China.

However, with the Indian Women’s Hockey Federation (IWHF) protesting against Kaushik’s appointment, the issue has snowballed into a major controversy. Kaushik himself too is reportedly keen to stay with the women’s team.

Harendra, when asked, said he was ready for the challenge. “If they offer me the job, why not? I have been coaching for nearly 10 years now. I was the coach at the junior World Cup (in Rotterdam in 2005, where India finished fourth), I have coached both the juniors and seniors. I have been coaching the Air India side, which is a virtual Indian team. I know the players, their strengths and weaknesses. But I would like to stress that I would be more happy to work with Mr Kaushik. He’s the best man for the job,” the ace defender of yesteryears said.

Harendra has even set the goals if he’s given the reins. “At least a last four finish at the 2010 World Cup, reaching the 2010 Commonwealth Games final, and a gold at the Asian Games. These are all realistic goals, which I am confident I can achieve with this team,” he asserts.

Dhanraj Pillay, a member of the five-member selection panel of the IOA ad hoc committee which has been running the show after the disbanding of the KPS Gill-led IHF, when asked about the confusion surrounding the appointment of Kaushik, said: “Even I don’t know what’s happening. Kaushik had been sounded out in advance that we were considering his name and he had confirmed his availability too. In fact, that’s why we had sent him to the Beijing Games as an observer. Yes, there has been some confusion, but I don’t think there should be a problem. We have been talking to the women’s body, so something should come out soon,” Pillay said.

On the chance of Harendra taking over in case of Kaushik’s unavailability, Pillay just stopped short of confirming it. ” Toh problem kya hai ? Assistant coach ko chief coach bana denge. Harendra is a good coach, he’s had a long experience in coaching, and he’s as dedicated as anyone else. But nothing is finalised yet. Hopefully, everything should be clear soon,” he said.