Team India gets new head coach, returns after five years, his name is….

In a move that feels like a classic ‘getting the band back together’ moment, Sjoerd Marijne is officially back as the head coach of the Indian women’s hockey team. If you followed the Tokyo Olympics, you’ll remember him as the tactical mind who took our women to a historic fourth-place finish.

Marijne steps in to replace Harendra Singh, who resigned in December after a tough run that saw the team miss out on the Paris Olympics. Now, the 51-year-old Dutchman is back for his third stint, and he’s not coming alone.

The Dream Team Returns

Marijne’s return is part of a broader “Tokyo-style” rebuild. He’ll be joined by:

Matias Vila: The former Argentinian Olympian comes in as the Strategic (Analytical) Coach.

Wayne Lombard: The South African scientific advisor is back to lead Athletic Performance. Lombard was a huge part of why the team looked so physically dominant in Tokyo, so having him back is a massive win for the squad’s fitness.

‘Fresh Energy and a Clear Vision’

Marijne hasn’t wasted any time expressing his excitement. Following the announcement, he shared his thoughts on returning to the Indian dugout after four and a half years away:

‘It’s great to be back. After 4.5 years, I return with fresh energy and a clear vision to support the team’s growth and help the players achieve their full potential on the world stage.’ He’s clearly ready to hit the ground running, and honestly, the team needs that spark right now.

Challenges and Goals

It hasn’t been the easiest few years for the ‘Nabh Varna.’ Since Tokyo, the team has struggled with a “difficult transition phase.” With legends like Rani Rampal, Vandana Katariya, and Deep Grace Ekka moving toward the twilight of their careers or retiring, the team fell to the Nations Cup and missed the 2024 Olympic bus.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. They still managed bronze medals at the Commonwealth and Asian Games recently. The goal now? Getting back to the very top.

The First Big Test

Marijne lands in India on January 14, and the national camp kicks off at SAI, Bengaluru, on January 19. He won’t have much time to settle in, though.

His first major hurdle is the World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad (March 8-14). India needs a strong showing there to secure a spot in the World Cup being held in Belgium and the Netherlands this August.