EXCLUSIVE: Mumbai City FC head coach Petr Kratky talks about OCI/PIO debate, importance of coaches & more | Part 2
Petr Kratky is a well-known figure in Indian football
Indian Super League (ISL) side Mumbai City FC’s head coach Petr Kratky highlighted the structural shortcomings that continue to hold Indian football back. The head coach joined the Islanders in 2023 and has been a part of the ISL for the last three seasons.
Kratky had ample expectations when he took over the charges following Des Buckingham’s departure. The Mumbai City FC head coach dealt with pressure by example, winning the ISL Cup in his debut season.
The subsequent campaign saw the Islanders qualify for the playoffs, but they couldn’t reach the semis after a heavy defeat to Bengaluru FC.
Mumbai City FC have showcased consistent performance throughout the 2025-26 season with limited exposure. Under Kratly’s watchful eyes, they have been yet again close to the silverware but missed out on the opportunity by a fine margin.
In his exclusive conversation with Khel Now, Petr Kratky also shared his views on several key issues in Indian football, the OCI/PIO debate, and the overall development of the game.
Let us take a look at what he had to say in Part 2 of the conversation.
Need for a sustainable long-term fix
Indian football’s base remains alarmingly weak. Foreign stars and high-profile head coaches often catch the headlines, but the development at the core can’t progress.
Kratky admitted one of Indian football’s recurring mistakes has been searching for immediate success instead of sustainable growth. Investments in grassroots programmes and youth competitions should be the priority to upscale the country’s football culture.
While quizzed about the major concerns of Indian football right now, Kratky answered:
“I think it’s the grassroots and the development pathways. Because to be honest, I read some media (reports) and then say we need more Ryan Williams, the guys who come and become Indians or the Indian players who are overseas; they have no Indian passports. They acquire dual citizenship so they can represent the countries,” he continued.
Indian football has been going through a major debate regarding the OCI/PIO regulations ahead of the forthcoming 2026-27 season. Kratky acknowledged the tactical awareness that these players possess and the values that they can bring.
Kratky believes that OCI/PIO can arguably strengthen the league and improve the national team’s performances, but anyhow, this can’t be the alternative for grassroots development.
“You want to send people out to develop, then bring them back to play for the national team. It’s a quick fix at the end of the day. Yes, there are good Indian heritage players outside of India, 100%,” Kratky said.
“But my question is, what do you do within your country? So, when players want to live in other countries, okay, no problems. But your ecosystem needs to be strong to develop your own (players). And that’s what takes decades,” he further added.
Kratky stressed the importance of a long-term solution with investments in youth development across the country. Speaking in context, he shared,
“You need to start; somehow you need to start. So, there is money, there is potential, but the structure and the grassroots coaches’ development—all the things together, I think, are very important. Because of what I look at, we can’t just look for a quick fix and a short-term solution. You need to look for a sustainable long-term fix.”
On the significance of having a proper coaching setup
Kratky also highlighted the significance of having a proper coaching setup to develop younger prospects from age-group levels.
The head coach urged investing in the coaching setup to develop players from the grassroots levels. Experienced coaches could nurture the emerging talents, help them to improve their game, and find themselves in the mix to represent the country when it matters the most.
“If you bring these players from overseas, your national team will start playing better, you will get more coefficients as a nation, and you will get more places in AFCs and everywhere. I understand that. But, as I said, it’s not negotiable on the terms of your grassroots and development. That’s what I think needs to come; the investment needs to come. So, create an environment for the young players to play and develop quality,” Kratky added.
“So, develop the coaches, number one. Better coaches, better players. Coaches also need to understand that it’s not about winning when I’m under 14 or 15. It’s all about technical abilities. It’s all about decision-making. Winning is good. A winning mentality is fantastic. I think they should be there always. But there needs to be something where you start building underneath, and these players will come through. And it can’t be just rare. Because, at the end of the day, football can be big business,” he concluded.
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Shibashis is a sports journalist with over three years of experience covering Indian football. His work spans reporting, writing, and editing, with a strong focus on telling stories from across the Indian football landscape. Passionate about both Indian and European football, he continues to build his career by combining sharp reporting with a deep love for the game.