Calls for desi bosses in ISL dugouts gain ground

Panaji: Khalid Jamil is a man of few words, even fewer when he’s in front of journalists.
So, when Jamshedpur FC confirmed their spot among the top six for this season’s Indian Super League (ISL), and consequently secured a place in the playoffs, his response, not surprisingly, was a standard one. “We are delighted to have made it to the playoffs, but the credit goes entirely to the players,” said Jamil, the first Indian coach to take a team to the knockout stage after taking charge at the start of the season. “They have worked incredibly hard throughout the season, and this achievement is a reflection of their dedication,” he added as a bonus.
To truly understand what Jamil has done at Jamshedpur this season, you need to look at Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC. Odisha are managed by Sergio Lobera, the only coach to win the League with two different clubs (FC Goa, Mumbai City), and the only one to do the Shield and Trophy double in 2021. Then there’s Owen Coyle, who’s managed in the Premier League, took Chennaiyin to the final in spectacular fashion and won the League with Jamshedpur against all odds.
This season, though, champion coaches like Lobera and Coyle both finished outside the playoff spots.
“What Jamil has done at Jamshedpur is remarkable but how many club owners trust Indian coaches,” asked Armando Colaco, former India coach and the only one to win five national league titles with Dempo SC. “Hats off to Jamshedpur for showing faith in Jamil. He hasn’t let them down,” added the veteran.
India has 46 AFC Pro License Diploma holders, the highest qualification available for a coach in Asia. In the last two years alone, 26 young coaches have secured their license, but opportunities are available only to a handful.
This season, besides Jamil, Thangboi Singto was handed charge at Hyderabad FC, but lost his job midway into the season. His replacement, Shameel Chembakath, did a decent job with a young squad, as HFC finished 12th among 13 teams. The one at the bottom – Mohammedan Sporting -- saw Mehrajuddin Wadoo trying his best to salvage the situation, following the resignation of Andrey Chernyshov.
Purushothaman TG was handed interim charge of Kerala Blasters, following the sacking of Mikael Stahre.
Jamshedpur’s belief in Jamil is a case in point. When he took over in December 2023, Scott Cooper had left the club tenth in the standings, with just two wins from 12 matches. At the start of this season, his side was almost written off. After all, it was a squad of castoffs, players who were surplus to their club’s requirements, with nowhere to go. Then there were the injury-ridden players, besides Ashutosh Mehta, returning to the field after serving a two-year ban for doping.
Jamshedpur eventually finished fifth, losing steam towards the end after appearing good enough to challenge champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Jamil is the only coach to do the double over second-placed FC Goa, coached by Manolo Marquez who also manages the national team.
“Unless top clubs put their trust in Indian coaches, we will not progress. We have so many good coaches, but they are either without work or serving as assistants. When will they get their chance? Look at Clifford (Miranda). With his proven qualities, why doesn’t anyone make him the head coach,” wondered Colaco, who was recently honoured with the Dronacharya Award, the highest recognition for coaches in the country.
Clifford, for the unaware, won the Super Cup with Odisha in 2023 but hasn’t yet managed a team on his own. He is now assistant to Petr Kratky at Mumbai City.
“Indian coaches cannot be just stop-gap options,” said Colaco. “I’ve said this before too; unless you trust your own people, how will they grow?”