Looking forward to getting CFC back where it's known to be: Owen Coyle

Owen Coyle seemed optimistic ahead of a fresh start with Chennaiyin FC.

From Elano and Mendoza teeing up the Indian Super League in its initial years, and forever inducing themselves in the history books, to one of the best comeback stories ever scripted in the league, Chennaiyin FC undoubtedly hold a special place in Indian football.

The Marina Machans have been a footballing powerhouse, who so far have two ISL titles to their name, and have an outstanding reputation in the league.

But all of that has drastically changed in the past few years, and Chennaiyin FC have qualified for the playoffs only once in the last five seasons. Despite their best efforts, Chennaiyin have had utterly disappointing campaigns.

After a poor 2022/23 season, that saw Chennaiyin finish eighth, a major revamp took place at the club, which now renders a completely fresh squad, who have a familiar name at the forefront to guide them to success - Owen Coyle.

The Scottish protagonist, who is a pretty known figure among the ISL viewers, is assigned the task of bringing back the glory days at the club, and getting ‘Chennai back to where it’s known to be’.

Ahead of the start of a new season, Owen Coyle along with first team players Connor Shields, Jordan Muraay and Samik Mitra spoke to the media. Here are the major talking points from the dialogue. 

Owen Coyle on being back to the league

After a brief period in the ISL spanning across two and a half years, Owen Coyle finds himself back at point zero with Chennaiyin, as he now has a fresh project to commence and develop. When asked about how delighted he is to be back at the club, Coyle said, “I'm delighted to be back. I think the ISL is growing every year. We certainly as coaches have an obligation to try and help to do that and I think the development of the young Indian players is important now.”

"We had a wonderful time there the last time and what we want to do is try and recreate that again, which will be difficult because you don't come in with a magic wand of Sprinkle Ferris. It takes hard work. So yes, we're excited for the league and we're really looking forward to the challenge of getting Chennai back to where it’s known to be,” he added.

On the challenge with Chennaiyin FC and relative pressure

Owen Coyle also addressed how he will tackle the problems at the club, and how much of a pressure is on him to bring back the glory days. “We understand it's a huge challenge, but it's a level playing field in respect of the boys. The ones that have worked with me know what my demands are, how we're going to go about it. And the ones who are new to us, they know what the standards need to be," the mentor said.

He added, "So we'll continue to strive to put all that together, but of course our strength will always be in the group, and it has to be, because for as talented as you are as an individual, you want nothing, you want it together, and that's got to be a key part of what we do.”

“In football, there's pressure every day, because we love the game. We want to win, we want to develop good players, but equally we want to develop good human beings as well. So that's why, when we're signing players, and certainly when I'm signing them, firstly, obviously they have to be talented footballers, but secondly, they have to be really good people,” he further stated.   

On the fans

Chennaiyin FC have a pretty passionate fanbase, and are famously regarded as one the most widely supported clubs across the nation. This is what Connor Shields had to say about the Supermachans.

“For our fans at Chennaiyin, I think they're colourful, they're vocal, they love the club and we want to continue to grow that fan base.”

Jordan Murray on the upcoming season

Jordan Murray walks into a team which over the past couple of seasons, has struggled to score goals. When asked if there is any added pressure due to this very reason, Jordan replied, “Yes, I think it does have a bit of pressure. I think also that position has pressure, but that's our job is to score goals. So obviously it does have that kind of pressure. But what's happened with Chennaiyin in the past is the past. I'm looking forward to the future.

"I've played under the boss, had really good success together and now it's time for me and Connor to mix and hopefully put on a good show and show what we're capable of. I'm very excited for this season. And again, our relationship is only growing with every training session. Hopefully, we can put that in the park,” he added.

Samik Mitra on his time at the club

Samik Mitra, who joined Chennaiyin FC back in 2020, has a big season ahead of him, as he has been entrusted with the task of being the main goalkeeper for the Marina Machans.

When asked about his time so far with the club, and the development he has undergone, Samik said, “It's been a path of learning all throughout. From when I joined, till now, every day I'm learning from the seniors,  from the senior goalkeepers who have been here. Now to come up in that place and to perform, I take it up as a positive challenge - to fill their shoes in a much bigger manner, and show what I'm capable of. It's always about learning every day.”