Former Australian hockey player Graham Reid has been appointed as Indian men’s national team chief coach till the end of 2020. He has been handed a term till the end of next year but his tenure can be extended till 2022 FIH World Cup depending upon his performance.

The Hockey India received necessary clearance from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) on Monday. As per reports, Reid is expected to draw a salary of USD 15,000 per month and will be shifting base to Bengaluru with his family.

“Reid's tenure will be till the end of next year. As per industry standards, every international coach's contract is supposed to be for an Olympic cycle. But his contract will have a provision of extension till 2022. Everything will depend on India's performances leading upto the Tokyo Olympics,” said a Hockey India official.

The Indian chief coach's position has been lying vacant after the unceremonious sacking of Harendra Singh in January following a less-than-impressive quarterfinal exit at the World Cup in Bhubaneswar last year.

Expressing his delight overtaking on a new assignment, Reid said, “It's an honour and a privilege to be appointed as chief coach of the Indian men's hockey team. No other country has a history in this sport that can compare to India.”

“As an opposition coach, I have enjoyed watching first hand, the steady rise of the Indian team to one of the most exciting and threatening teams in world hockey. I have a passion for the fast and attacking brand of hockey that India plays which marries closely with the Australian style,” he added.

About Graham Reid:

Reid had a decorated playing career for the Australian national team and was part of the silver medal winning team at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He was also part of the Australian squad that won back-to-back Champions Trophy titles in 1984, 1985 and 1989, 1990.

With 130 international caps, Reid took to coaching when he was appointed Australia's assistant coach in 2009. He was later elevated to the head coach's position and he guided the Australian team to their fifth consecutive Champions Trophy title in 2012.

Reid was named the head coach in 2014 where he contributed to Australian squad's reign as world No.1 team.