Harendra Singh appointed Men's head coach as Sjoerd Marijne returns to manage women’s team

Marijne had been given the role of the men's team in November last year following the sacking of Roelant Oltmans. However, with indifferent performances in the Sultan Azlan Shah and the Commonwealth Games, Hockey India (HI) has decided that they want another change. Hockey India has placed their faith in the Women's hockey coach Harendra Singh, who will replace the Dutchman as the head coach of the Men’s team.

Harendra is not new to the role as he was the head coach for the Men’s side from 2009 to 2011. Following that he was handed the responsibility of the youth team and he did not disappoint their either, managing to guide the side to a World Cup title in 2016. Following a review of Team India’s performance at the CWG, where the women's team ended up in a respectable fourth place, HI decided to reward the Indian coach for his services with a chance to lead the men’s side. 

However, the men's team under the tutelage of Marijne ended in a disappointing fifth position in Gold Coast, returning without a medal for the first time since the 2006 CWG.

Marijne, too, had started his stint with the men’s side on a positive note as he was instrumental in helping the team win the Asia Cup which he followed up with a commendable bronze medal at the Hockey World League Final. However, he faced a lot of backlash from former players for his decision to take a relatively young side to the CWG instead of experienced stars like Sardar Singh, Birendra Lakra, and Ramandeep Singh. Marijne, however, said that he was happy to take up the role as the head of the women’s side again.