Report: Des Buckingham reveals concepts he introduced at Mumbai City FC

The main prerogative of Des Buckingham was to break the barriers.

Des Buckingham‘s arrival at Mumbai City FC in 2021 wasn’t just about tactics and formations. It was about navigating a cultural landscape with a communication barrier that went beyond language. The former manager of Mumbai City FC, found himself grappling with a unique challenge upon his arrival in India in 2021: the shyness of Indian footballers.

According to The Guardian, as Buckingham stepped into his role at Mumbai City, he quickly noticed a palpable hesitancy among his players. Their reluctance to make eye contact or engage in conversations left him puzzled and concerned. “Players were almost trying to avoid staff,” Buckingham said. However, he soon realised that this behaviour stemmed not from disrespect or indifference but from a deeply ingrained cultural trait – a profound reverence for hierarchy.

In an exclusive interview with The Guardian back in January, Des Buckingham shed light on the transformative journey he embarked on to bridge the cultural gap while staying true to himself as a coach. “The biggest thing I’ve seen outside India is players want as much time with the coach as they can get,” Buckingham remarked. “I’m sure the players in India wanted the same thing but never knew how to do it. We tried to change that.”

Acknowledging the need for patience and understanding, Buckingham embarked on a mission to break down barriers and foster a more open and communicative environment within the team. He initiated one-on-one sessions with players, providing them with a platform to express themselves and share their thoughts without inhibition. “We sat with the players, one on one, for 20 minutes, which is something they’d never had before. It was so awkward. But we had to have a starting point,” Buckingham recalled.

The process was not without its challenges, as Buckingham navigated the delicate balance of introducing new concepts while respecting the players’ cultural background. “We didn’t drop the playing style on them then. It would have been too much, too soon. It was about trying to put those building blocks in place where they could become comfortable having a conversation with you,” he explained.

Over the course of six months, Buckingham’s efforts bore fruit as Mumbai City underwent a remarkable transformation. Embracing a fearless brand of football, they clinched the Indian Super League title and made a splash in the AFC Champions League, showcasing their newfound confidence and cohesion on the pitch.

Reflecting on his time in India, Buckingham expressed his satisfaction with the progress made and the bonds forged with his players. “The challenge was adapting to the culture of the new country but without losing who you are,” he remarked. “We tried to create an environment where players felt valued and empowered to express themselves.”

Des Buckingham’s tenure with Mumbai City was more than just victory. His legacy extended beyond the trophies won on the field. He had succeeded in breaking down cultural barriers, paving the way for a more inclusive and communicative footballing culture in India and thus became an integral part of the Mumbai City FC family.

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