Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia feels “sorry” for Khalid Jamil, who has taken charge of the national football team at a time when the sport is going through a difficult phase in the country and said the AIFF preferred him because he is unlikely to make too many demands.

Jamil, who replaced Spaniard Manolo Marquez, became the first Indian in 13 years to be appointed as head coach of the senior national team.

“We have got two world class coaches leaving, we have got Igor Stimac who coached the Croatian team, and then Manolo Marquez who is one of the great coaches with great history,” Bhutia told PTI Videos after the Fidel Castro Centenary Football Cup’s exhibition match.