Punjab FC’s youth development project finds strong fit in Pavlos Dermitzakis

The Sheers have included 10 academy graduates in their 27-member squad for the 2026–27 Indian Super League (ISL)

Ever since becoming the first club to be promoted into the ISL, owing to their title-winning 2022-23 I-League campaign, Punjab FC have continued to provide prospects for the Indian men’s national team at every age bracket.

Even though PFC have finished 8th (2023-24), 10th (2024-25) and 6th (2026), they have helped a number of players rise to the senior national team. Nikhil Prabhu, Pramveer Singh, Ricky Shabong and Bijoy Varghese have all featured for the national team in recent windows.

Youngsters such as Muhammad Suhail, Omang Dodum, Laishram Rishikanta Meitei, and Vishal Yadav, among others, have impressed with their respective youth national teams. Eight Punjab FC youngsters were named in the 30-man India U20 team that took on Singapore in friendlies earlier this year.

The previous two head coaches, Staikos Vergetis and Panagiotis Dilmperis, worked closely alongside the club to oversee the transition of academy talents to the first team and get regular minutes in the Indian Super League. As a result, during the ISL 2024-25 season, Punjab FC gave U-23 players an incredible 7,100 minutes of game time.

But at the end of the 2025-26 season, Panagiotis Dilmperis left Punjab FC to join Mohun Bagan SG. On July 13, 2026, Punjab FC appointed Pavlos Dermitzakis as the new head coach ahead of the 2026-27 season. The Greek manager signed a two-year contract with the club.

Philosophy, grit and promising early signs

Ahead of the ISL 2026-27 season, Punjab FC reached the semi-final stage of the IFA Shield 2026. They were knocked out on penalties by eventual winners Mohun Bagan. Dermitzakis made a bold claim ahead of the season opener vs Odisha FC, saying, “I believe our team can compete for the championship”.

Dermitzakis’s first ISL starting lineup included 20-year-old electrifying winger Muhammad Suhail, who missed a big chunk of last season due to a shoulder injury, alongside 23-year-old Indian international Ricky Shabong and an IST debut for 19-year-old Rishikanta Meitei. Club captain Nikhil Prabu started the game at left-centre-half.

The Greek manager’s philosophy of “good and attractive football” was on display from kick-off as Raphaël Messi Bouli tapped in a low cross back post from left-back Uvais in the very first minute of the match. Although the Sheers dominated proceedings from there, Odisha FC did level the game, scoring from a bullet header from Thoiba Singh.

Punjab FC showed grit and determination, even changing their formation at the start of the second half. But it was once again a youngster who stepped up when it mattered the most.

19-year-old Bishu Sharma played the killer pass for Messi Bouli to grab the winner in the last minute of added time. India U20 international Vishal Yadav also came on as a substitute and tried to make a positive impact on the game.

After the match, head coach Pavlos Dermitzakis reaffirmed his belief in the youngsters and helping the development of Indian football:

“First of all, I wish we have a good ISL season, to be played on good terms, and for the fans to be able to see the development of Indian football.”

“For sure, we are going to do one thing: we are going to put peace for the development of Indian football, with the way of football that we want to establish and, for sure, break through to the stage of new talents that I believe are the future of Indian football,” he added.

When asked about 19-year-old Rishikanta, who earned his first start and made his ISL debut on the day, Dermitzakis said:

“Rishikanta, just like more of our academy graduates, are players who are training with the senior team for a long time. Myself and my staff’s thoughts are that they are not here just to complete the roster but to compete for the starting lineup. These players can make the difference through their performances.

Rishikanta, today, started the game but also other young players came off the bench, like Vishal Yadav and Bishy Sharma. This is a good thing because with these players, we are going to create tomorrow’s core of the team. These are players who can support what we want to do. It is not only these players, but we have even more players that we are going to see in the future.”

While it’s just one win in the ISL, but early signs point towards the fact that Pavlos Dermitzakis will be a very good fit for the Punjab FC project.

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