s2h Team
A significant controversy has erupted in Indian hockey as legendary goalkeeper-turned-coach P.R. Sreejesh took to social media to voice his frustration over his removal from the junior national team, sparking a sharp rebuttal from Hockey India (HI). The public fallout highlights a growing debate regarding the role of domestic versus foreign coaches in the lead-up to the 2036 Olympics.
Sreejesh’s Grievance: “Can’t Indian Coaches Develop Indian Hockey?” In a candid post, Sreejesh expressed shock at his departure after a successful 1.5-year tenure. During his stint, the junior team secured five podium finishes across five tournaments, including a prestigious bronze medal at the Junior World Cup. Sreejesh claimed that his removal was not based on performance but was a strategic move to accommodate a foreign head coach.
Indian goalkeeper PR Sreejesh was always interested in coaching
According to Sreejesh, the decision was justified by Hockey India leadership as a preference of the senior men’s chief coach, who reportedly believes foreign leadership at the junior level is essential for a seamless transition to the senior squad. Sreejesh questioned this logic, asking, “Can’t Indian coaches develop Indian hockey?” He also revealed a recent meeting with the Union Sports Minister, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, on March 7, 2026, where he was encouraged to lead the country’s charge toward the 2036 Olympics—a sentiment he feels is now being undermined by the federation’s reliance on foreign staff across all four national teams.
Hockey India’s Response: Contractual Conclusion and Declined Offers Hockey India quickly moved to clarify its stance, officially stating that Sreejesh’s coaching term concluded in December 2025 as per his contract. The federation denied that Sreejesh was “fired,” explaining instead that the position was advertised following standard protocol, with a new candidate selected through a merit-based process.
In a direct counter to Sreejesh’s claims, Hockey India revealed that they had offered the legend a position as the coach of the Development Team—a role they described as “critical” for the Los Angeles 2028 cycle. According to the federation, Sreejesh declined this offer despite requests to reconsider.
Dilip Tirkey, Hockey India President
Furthermore, the governing body categorically denied that the senior men’s chief coach had expressed a preference for foreign coaches over Indians. “Development of the grassroots and homegrown coaches has always been central to the interests of Hockey India,” the statement read, citing that their coaching pathway program has already certified over 600 Indian coaches nationwide.
The Road to 2036 The clash comes at a sensitive time for the sport. While Hockey India maintains that it is aligning domestic coaches with international experts to enhance skills, Sreejesh’s exit suggests a friction point in how that “pathway” is perceived by the legends themselves.
As the federation prepares to announce a new foreign coach for the junior team, the debate over the “glass ceiling” for Indian coaches continues to simmer. While Hockey India continues to value Sreejesh as a “legend of the sport,” the immediate future of one of India’s most decorated hockey icons in a coaching capacity remains uncertain. The fallout leaves a shadow over the junior program just as the national focus shifts toward the long-term goal of 2036.