Panaji: In a stunning twist, Spanish football icon and former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez reportedly applied for the role of head coach of the Indian national football team, according to a Times of India report.

Xavi, who made over 700 appearances for Barcelona and led the club as head coach until recently, is said to have personally submitted his application via email to the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Interestingly, while the email ID matched his, the application reportedly had a blank contact number field.

However, the AIFF could not go ahead with the processing of his application as the costs involved in recruiting one of the world's finest mid-fielders was way beyond the federation's means.

"Yes, he (Xavi) applied for the job of the Indian senior men's team football head coach. He has himself mailed his application to the people in the technical committee, and it looks like he was very much interested in the job," a source in the AIFF told PTI on Friday.

"However, those tasked with the responsibility of recommending the short-list of coaches to the executive committee for final approval federation know that it's difficult.

"You understand that Xavi is one of the greatest midfielders of all time, people talk about Messi all the time, but he along with (Andres) Iniesta are right up there as far as Barcelona is concerned. So, yes, it is what it is," he added.

The revelation comes amid earlier reports that former India coach Stephen Constantine, Liverpool great Harry Kewell, ex-Blackburn manager Steve Kean, and Indian coaches Khalid Jamil, Kibu Vicuna, and Eelco Schattorie were among those who applied.

Despite Xavi's high-profile resume, including a FIFA World Cup (2010), two UEFA Euro titles (2008, 2012), eight La Liga championships, and four UEFA Champions League trophies, sources say his name was not considered for the final shortlist due to the anticipated financial cost of hiring him.