We’re creating a team with a deep spirit, says Punjab FC coach Panagiotis Dilmperis on ISL 2024-25 Media Day

The Shers outperformed heavyweights Bengaluru FC, East Bengal, and Hyderabad FC in ISL 10

Punjab FC are gearing up for their second season in the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25. The club was the first to be promoted from the I-League after winning it, and in the previous season, they ended in 8th place with 24 points, six wins, six draws, and 10 losses. Notably, in their debut season, the club finished ahead of heavyweights like East Bengal, Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, and Hyderabad FC. 

The Shers will kick off their season by playing against Kerala Blasters on 15th September at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi. The club decided to part ways with Staikos Vergetis, with whom they won the I-League, and appointed Panagiotis Dilmperis as their head coach ahead of the 2024-25 season.

The new manager along with Luka Majcen, new signing Mushaga Bakenga, and Vinit Rai, sat down for a press conference in Kolkata recently. Here are the excerpts.

On the coaching style of other coaches

Panagiotis Dilmperis expressed his gratitude to the club management for allowing him to coach in India as he chipped in, “I have heard so many things while I was a young kid, and at the same time, joining this ISL, I think it’s a great championship. I’m really lucky to have all these players on the roster, great personalities. Day by day, we’re creating a team with deep spirit, and great mentality. They know that we have to work hard and achieve higher targets than in previous seasons.”

When asked about coaching in the Indian Super League for the first time, the tactician shared that he started watching the matches when negotiations with Punjab FC began. He said, “I watched most of the games from last season. I know all the teams and the coaches’ styles of play.”

Thoughts on focussing more on quality than quantity

In response to a question about the difference between ISL clubs in terms of budget, and all, Panagiotis Dilmperis stated that the club is focusing on quality more than quality. He elaborated, “High achievements do not come from one day to the next. You can easily see that, year by year, things are getting better, and higher achievements are coming. When a coach joins a club, he must follow the philosophy of that club. I think that Punjab focuses more on quality than quantity, and taking one step forward is enough to represent our philosophy.”

League’s competition

When asked about the challenges and toughness of this year’s ISL, the coach replied, “I believe that this ISL season will be better than all the others. First of all, I see more Indian players and other players being guided and educated by great coaches who have joined the league. At the same time, better foreign players are coming in as well.”

Talking about the roles of foreign players, he said, “Foreign players are crucial, and we need to guide, teach, and educate them properly. I believe that over time, Indian football will achieve great things, and since we had a game with the national team last night, I hope that with this culture and mentality, a World Cup for India is coming soon.”

When asked about managing both Mushaga Bakenga and Luka Majcen, who both play as center-forwards and the challenge of using just four foreign player spots in matches, the tactician assured that the players will adapt their egos to fit the team target.

“We just hope that this season will be better than the previous one.”, he added with a smile.

On taking one step forward at a time

In the Premier League Next Generation Cup 2024, the under-21 side of Punjab FC delivered a remarkable performance. They defeated the academy teams of Aston Villa 2-0 and Everton 2-1 in consecutive games. Mentioning these achievements, Panagiotis Dilmperis said, “The whole club, starting from the academy, is doing a great job. Everyone knows the results of the new generation in the UK, and how many players we used from the academy during the season. I already used three young players during the Durand Cup, and they can support us in the future.”

He added, “We just want to take one step forward. The first thing we must do is set four main targets, which will give us better results. The first is to create a culture, and that comes after this question. We’re doing a lot of work in the locker room to change our mentality. During the Durand Cup, we worked to change the mentality from not losing games to aiming to be winners. We aim to create better athletes, and better people and have a certain style of play.”

If someone deserves an opportunity, They will get it

When asked about using youth players in the Indian Super League, Panagiotis Dilmperis replied, “Three players had their first games during the Durand Cup. It was not a favor. I want to be clear about that. We don’t do favors. If someone deserves an opportunity, they will get it.”

“All these kids have something, and this is the truth about the players. All the players are talented, and they all have potential. We need to see that and develop it, as well as help them improve in areas they might not be strong in. So, any kid who fits into the Punjab FC system will be brought into the team, and they will give us more power for the future.” he added.

A unique playing style

Punjab FC’s campaign in the Durand Cup ended after a penalty shootout loss against finalists Mohun Bagan Super Giants in the quarterfinal. Sharing his experience from the Durand Cup, the mentor expressed that the club played against two big teams (mentioning Kerala Blasters and Mohun Bagan Super Giant) and qualified for the next round, gaining valuable experience. “Day by day, I’m gaining more knowledge because we have a scouting department that provides me with detailed information about players and other aspects,” he added.

Talking about playing style, the coach said to the media that the team had played 30 percent in the recently concluded Durand Cup, of what the club could play. “I believe time is on our side, and by the start of the season, we will be ready to show something different compared to previous seasons, along with a unique playing style.”

More Game Time: Vinit Rai

Vinit Rai has joined Punjab FC as a free agent on a two-year deal following his successful stint with Mumbai City FC, where he was part of the ISL 2023-24 championship-winning team. On joining Punjab FC, Vinit expressed, “I think the most important thing for me is game time. When I was at my previous club, I used to hear many good things about Punjab FC, the professionalism, the staff, the facilities they provide, and how they take care of the players.

“Those things affect me as a player because you always want to be in an environment where players are the priority. The facilities where you can keep your head calm, and the most important thing is knowing that you’re going to get more game time.”

Vinit hopes that under the couch’s guidance, he can develop himself into a better version of himself. “I have a very experienced coach, and I’m looking forward to the season. I’ve been working hard under him, and I’m sure that I’m going to be a better version of myself than I was last year. I just want to give everything my best so that I can help the team and improve myself as a player and a person.”

Back to the better version of the club

Vinit Rai has experience playing with the Punjab team, known as Minerva Punjab FC. He participated in the 5 matches for the team in the I league competition. “I was part of Punjab when it was Minerva Punjab FC in the I-League, so that was an ideal time. But to be back in the same club, now in a better version in the ISL, it’s an amazing feeling. It didn’t take me long to adjust again because I was already familiar with the culture.”

“We are just working hard, and we can’t wait for the 15th of September to step out for our first game in the ISL against Kerala Blasters,” he concluded.

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