The deadline to apply for the post of the Indian football men's team coach position officially ended on Friday and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is believed to have received an overwhelming response.

The AIFF has received a healthy mix of applicants, including a host of Indian Super League and I-League managers, along with multiple applications from foreign managers as well.

Sportstar has learnt that former England manager, Sam Allardyce, has expressed his interest in the post through his agent.

Allardyce is currently a free agent and was last seen in charge of Premier League side Everton, guiding them to an eighth-place finish last season.

The AIFF will now review the applications and hand over a shortlist at the earliest to its Technical Committee, headed by Shyam Thapa.

"We have received a lot of applications and now the process of shortlisting will begin. The Technical Committee will be informed of the shortlisted candidates and based on their view, the coach will be finalised," a senior AIFF official said.

The Federation is keen to appoint the new coach at the earliest and is likely to make the announcement by April 15.