Hockey India has reappointed Sjoerd Marijne as the chief coach of the women’s hockey team. The Dutchman, who famously guided India to a historic fourth-place finish at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is back at the helm during a crucial transition phase for the national side.
Sjoerd Marijne Returns As Indian Women’s Hockey Coach
Marijne’s return comes ahead of the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Qualifiers, scheduled to be held in Hyderabad from March 8 to 14, 2026. He is set to arrive in India on January 14, with the national coaching camp beginning five days later at SAI, Bengaluru. The qualifiers will be his first major test as India look to reassert themselves on the global stage after missing out on qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Hockey India announced the appointment on Friday, emphasizing continuity, familiarity with the core group, and a renewed focus on fitness- an area widely credited for India’s strong performances during Marijne’s earlier tenure from 2017 to 2021. That period saw the women’s team break into the world’s top 10 rankings and achieve their best-ever Olympic finish.
Supporting Marijne will be a familiar backroom staff. Matias Vila, the former Argentine international who featured in the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics, has been appointed analytical coach. Dr Wayne Lombard returns as Scientific Advisor and Head of Athletic Performance, assisted by Rodet Yila and Ciara Yila, strengthening the team’s performance science and conditioning framework.
Hockey India President Dr Dilip Tirkey welcomed the appointment, thanking the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and the Sports Authority of India for expediting the process. “Emphasis has been laid on fitness of the team, which was one of the key reasons for the Indian women’s historic performance in Tokyo,” Tirkey said, adding that the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers and Asian Games made continuity a priority.
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Sjoerd Marijne replaces Harendra Singh, who stepped down last month following disappointing results and criticism over his coaching approach. The change reflects Hockey India’s desire to stabilize the setup after a turbulent few years that included coaching changes and the failure to qualify for Paris 2024.
However, Marijne’s return is not without baggage. His first stint ended amid controversy following the publication of his 2022 book Will Power – The Inside Story of the Incredible Turnaround in Indian Women’s Hockey.
In an unprecedented move at the time, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams issued a joint statement rejecting the claims as “false and fabricated,” accusing Marijne of misusing confidential information for commercial gain. The players also questioned why no formal complaints had been lodged with Hockey India or the Sports Authority of India when the alleged incidents supposedly occurred, and announced their intention to pursue legal action.
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Despite that episode, Hockey India has opted to move forward, placing trust in Marijne’s technical expertise and understanding of the squad. During his earlier tenure, India achieved notable results beyond the Olympics, including silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games and the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, and qualification for Tokyo through the FIH Olympic Qualifiers.
Speaking after his reappointment, Marijne struck an optimistic tone. “It’s great to be back. After four-and-a-half 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 said.
As India prepares for a demanding 2026 season, Marijne’s second stint will be closely watched. The challenge extends beyond tactics and fitness-it will also test whether past controversies can remain firmly in the background while the focus stays on rebuilding confidence, consistency, and competitiveness in Indian women’s hockey.
