Graham Reid resigns as India men’s hockey team coach following World Cup exit

The Indian hockey team finished joint-ninth at the 2023 FIH Men's World Cup held in Odisha.

Indian men’s hockey team coach Graham Reid, who had guided India to a historic bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, resigned from his post on Monday.

His decision to step down came in the aftermath of India’s disappointing showing at the 2023 FIH Men’s Hockey World Cup which ended on Sunday. India finished joint-ninth, alongside Argentina, out of 16 teams at the marquee event held in Odisha. It was the lowest-ever finish by a host nation in the event’s history.

“It is now time for me to step aside and hand over the reigns to the next management,” he was quoted as saying in a media release.

“It has been an honour and privilege to work with the team and Hockey India and I have enjoyed every moment of this epic journey. I wish the team all the very best.”

India’s 0-0 draw against England put them in second place in their pool, forcing them to play a crossover match against New Zealand which they lost in shootouts, after blowing a two-goal lead. Their subsequent wins – 8-0 over Japan, and 5-2 over South Africa – were just enough to ensure they did not stoop to their worst-ever World Cup finish.

Reid ends a relatively successful stint as India’s coach. On top of the medal at the Olympics in 2021, he also steered the men in blue to a third-place finish in the 2021/22 FIH Hockey Pro League season, and led them to victory in the 2019 FIH Series final.

Reid tendered his resignation alongside his supporting staff members, which includes Analytical Coach Greg Clark and Scientific Advisor Mitchell David Pemberton, who will all be serving their notice period in the month of January.