I can see only good things happening, says Hyderabad FC coach Thangboi Singto on ISL 2024-25 Media Day

Thangboi Singto also heaped praise on the club’s Indian youth contingent.

After a challenging Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season, Hyderabad FC has experienced a significant turnaround. The club’s fortunes have taken a positive trajectory with the arrival of new ownership, which has brought a renewed sense of optimism and investment, leading to a more stable environment.

Head coach Thangboi Singto and defender Alex Saji spoke to the media earlier and here are a few excerpts.

On Hyderabad FC’s performance in the previous season

Despite finishing at the bottom of the table in the previous ISL season, Hyderabad FC created history by becoming the first team to win an ISL match with an all-Indian contingent. While the bottom-table finish was disappointing, the Nizams’ historic victory served as a bright spot in an otherwise challenging season. Thangboi Singto elaborated, “Before saying anything I think we would like to show our appreciation to the league and to the important people sitting in front because without you I believe we are not visible.

“I think last year we had a very interesting journey sort of where opportunities came for a lot of youngsters. Some of them utilised it very strongly while the others couldn’t perform because we didn’t change our starting lineup much.

“The support on and off the field has been great, yet there are a lot of things happening unknown to the public eye. But despite the challenges we had support. I think that was one big, big reason that when we were on the pitch, we went out, we went with hope, and we went home with exuberance. We went with the mentality that, hey, this platform given to us should be grabbed, not only with hampered with legs too, I would say.

“So I think Alex is a good example sitting beside me that when the opportunity comes for the young players, I think you have to be there, ready to do what you can. Though it was very, very tough for us, I think we have become wiser and hopefully going over the season with the new ownership coming on, I can surely sense good things coming for us.”

On his journey in the ISL as a coach

Thangboi Singto has been one of the few Indian coaches of the Indian Super League and reflecting on his journey in the ISL for 9 seasons he reminisced his journey from an assistant coach to becoming the head coach of Hyderabad FC as he quipped, “One of the best cities I love is Kochi. I was just mentioning that this is my 9th ISL season. I may look young but I’m 50 plus and I think it won’t be wrong to talk about how I started my second phase of ISL journey.

“It was in 2014 when I was with Northeast United FC which is John Abraham’s team. Then in 2017, I joined Kerala Blasters and Mr.Varun Tripuraneni was the one who called me here. I still remember it vividly. I came with my family straight away.

“Kochi is a city which is special for us, for me and my family. My son studied for five years here so that is another story too. I think the journey has been very good so far. Now with Hyderabad FC, I can see only good things happening.

“But you know, in life sometimes we need to realize that this type of situation, whether for the players, whether for the staff, is something which helps us to understand how we are as a person, how we have built ourselves mentally, whether we can survive, and whether we can cope up with challenges. I think I would say credit to the orders, and credit to the players. One person, if I think needs to be given credit is Joao Victor, because we, a lot of Indians were there.

“But Joao Victor was the only foreigner who stayed with Hyderabad FC, who was there with the young kids, guiding them, pushing himself, and pushing the players. He was a big part of the youngsters really being charged and performing on the pitch and hopefully going forward. I think we are still on the verge of doing a lot of things right. But we are we’re focused. We know what we have to do and be on the right track.”

😍 The new season is almost here 😍#TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/lskkVVZtKh

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) September 5, 2024

On the new ownership

Hyderabad FC have faced challenges this season, but are determined to learn from their experiences and make significant improvements next term. Talking about the new changes in the ownership Thangboi Singto said, “See, I think despite everything going right in terms of the ownership, in terms of the scouting side of the players and the staff inclusive, unfortunately, the timeline factor is there. We started training a few days ago, which is one of the best things that can happen to all the young players and us as a team.

“But like I said, when we know we want to rebuild, we want to come back progressively strong because I hope nobody forgets here that Hyderabad FC is also a former ISL champion. So on those lines, I think we are trying to cross the bridge in such a way, not by sprinting but slowly, steadily in the right direction. And the new owners are very clear on our ideas financially. So a bonus after this is on our staff and the players that you know, whatever support we get, we try to create history. Hopefully, we’ll have a better performance than last year.”

On hardships, Hyderabad FC faced as a club

Reflecting on the performance, the coach emphasized the importance of analyzing areas for growth and implementing strategic changes to the team both on and off the field. The manager asserted, “I believe we were lucky. We were lucky enough to enter the ocean where there were a lot of waves, good waves, where there were still waters and there were cyclones also. But I think in life, whether it is in sports, in the corporate world, or the family, what helps is they stick together for each other. That’s exactly what we did.

“I salute the players; all of them starting with Joao Victor and all the Indian players. Of course, Alex is here, and other young players. Despite all the challenges, whenever we went for training sessions, there was not even one day where we were sad.

“Was it because of me or the staff? No, it was because of the players, who were mostly youngsters and knew the philosophy. This opportunity, they grasped well. And that will help propel them to come back to HFC and do well. Challenges will be there, you know, and hopefully in a good way.”

Alex Saji on having a breakthrough season

Alex Saji’s defensive skill has been instrumental in Hyderabad FC’s success. His ability to read the game, intercept passes, and make crucial tackles has made him a formidable opponent for opposing attackers. Speaking about the opportunity to represent his team the defender expressed his gratitude, mentioning, “Not only me, but all the young players also got an opportunity last year. I think they showed the character on the ground and showed that we can play ISL, you know?

“Especially in my case, I got an opportunity to show myself off and perform in Indian football. What we can say is that game time is more important. I believe that training is important – both on and off the pitch because overall growth is important which eventually helps us obtain more game time. After all, for a football player, game time is more important than anything else.”

“Off the field or on the field I can say that we stick to the coach’s plans. As a team, everybody is young, you know, Everyone Wants to learn. Everybody is trying to give their best. Everybody wants to show their potential, whatever they have. You know, young players always do that,” signed off the centre-half.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.