India sack Michael Nobbs as hockey coach - Two years after he had made ou- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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Two years after he had made out a case for Indian hockey to return to its roots, chief coach Michael Nobbs and his methods received a big thumbs-down from the game's mandarins.

In This Pic : Michael Nobbs

Pic Courtesy : PTI

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The Sports Authority of India (SAI) terminated the Australian's contract on Monday after Hockey India told them that they were not happy with his performance. Nobbs told TOI that he had offered to quit on health grounds but it was obvious that India's indifferent performance after qualifying for the London Olympics last year had claimed its victim.

In This Pic : Michael Nobbs

Pic Courtesy : AFP

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Nobbs is the fourth foreign coach to leave the Indian shores before completing his full tenure after Gerhard Rach, Ric Charlesworth and Jose Brasa. He will return to India on July 15 to complete the formalities with HI and SAI.

In This Pic : Michael Nobbs

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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"We have terminated Nobbs' contract and served him a 30-day notice after Hockey India gave us in writing that they were unhappy with Nobbs' performance," SAI director general Jiji Thomson told TOI.

In This Pic : Michael Nobbs

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

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Hockey India's high performance manager Roelant Oltmans will be in charge of the team till a new coach is appointed, his assignment beginning with the camp in Bangalore on July 16. With HI making it clear that they would want a foreign coach at the helm, sources pointed out that Oltmans could be eased into the role without transition pangs in the coming months.

In This Pic : Roelant Oltmans

Pic Courtesy : BCCL