Despite a largely successful stint of four-and-a-half years, Hockey India removed Roelant Otlmans as head coach of Hockey India. The legendary Dutchman said, "I was always prepared to be sacked."
India has always been a difficult place to work for foreign hockey coaches due to difference of opinion with national federations and bureaucratic hurdles.
In the past, renowned coaches like Australian Ric Charlesworth, Spaniard Jose Brasa, Micheal Nobbs, Terry Walsh and Paul van Ass were shown the door unceremoniously even before the completion of their tenures.
Asked whether he came prepared for the tough job when he was appointed as Indian hockey's High Performance Director in 2013, he answered in the affirmative.
"We all (foreigners) know India is not the easiest of countries to work — especially in the sporting sector because of a host of issues," Oltmans told PTI in an interview just after his sacking. "But in my mind, I was always prepared. When I took up the offer, I knew someday I will be sacked but I was ready for that."
The Dutchman, who came to India in 2013 as High Performance Director, however, said he has no regrets and hoped that he has made good roadmap for the team to follow.
"I have no regrets because I know I have left certain legacy for India hockey in the last four-and-a-half-years. The team has made significant progress and I just hope the process which I had set continues in the future," Oltmans said.
Oltmans said the day he took up the role, he emphasized on the need to set long-term goals for Indian hockey to revive its past glory. "In my plans, from day one, was to set long-term goals for India hockey to put the house in order and achieve a level a consistency. I had always said that India need 6 years to be in the top 3. But it seems it's different in India. People want overnight results. But it takes to build a process after a slump. In India it's all about winning a tournament, everyone thinks from the point of view of a fan. It takes time. But I never had any disagreement with the authorities here. I had a great time and enjoyed here," Oltmans
clarified.