Top five Indian footballers who could become quality coaches

These stars look well-equipped to make that transition from the pitch to the dugout!

Indian football is slowly entering a phase where former players are expected to play a bigger role off the pitch – not just as pundits or administrators, but as coaches who actually understand the modern game. The signs are encouraging. A number of Indian footballers show traits that go far beyond talent: leadership, tactical awareness, communication, and exposure to high-level football environments.

Here are five Indian footballers who look well-equipped to make that transition from the pitch to the dugout.

Sunil Chhetri

Let’s start with the no-brainer straight from the get-go. No list is going to be complete without Captain Fantastic. For over a decade, he hasn’t just been India’s best player -he’s been the face of Indian Football. What stands out with Chhetri isn’t only his goal-scoring record, but how he reads the game, communicates with teammates, and sets the tone in the dressing room.

Chhetri already has the mind of a coach. He understands space, movement, and game management, and more importantly, he understands people. All the perfect ingredients that make him a strong candidate for roles in national teams, youth setups, or even transitional club projects. If he enters coaching, expect a manager who focuses heavily on culture, accountability, and clarity rather than tactical overcomplication.

Also Read: Top five football superstars who almost signed for ISL clubs

Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Goalkeepers often make good coaches, and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu fits that profile perfectly. From his time in Norway to his leadership role at club and country level, Gurpreet has always had a big-picture view of the game.

He’s vocal, analytical, and constantly organising the defensive line. Those are coaching instincts already in action. Gurpreet could easily follow a pathway that starts as a goalkeeping coach and grows into an assistant or head coach role. His strengths would likely lie in defensive structure, build-up play, and game management, especially for teams that want to be compact and disciplined.

Jeje Lalpekhlua

Jeje Lalpekhlua may not always be the loudest voice, but he has one of the sharpest football minds among Indian forwards. He understands what exactly a modern number 9 needs with regard to his movement, pressing triggers, and timing. That makes him an ideal fit for striker development programs or transition-focused teams.

Jeje’s calm personality and adaptability across systems suggest he would do well as an attacking coach or youth developer. 

Brandon Fernandes

If there’s one Indian player who naturally fits modern coaching language, it’s Brandon Fernandes. His game is built on spatial awareness, patterns, and structure, not just flair. Brandon has played under multiple possession-based systems and understands how creativity works within a framework.

As a coach, he would likely gravitate toward possession football, chance creation, and final-third organisation. He feels like someone who could thrive in academy environments or progressive club projects, helping young players understand how to think the game rather than just play it.

Anirudh Thapa

Anirudh Thapa represents the modern Indian midfielder – and potentially, the modern Indian coach. He controls tempo, understands positioning, and constantly communicates on the pitch. Those are coaching traits hiding in plain sight. And with his exposure to European football in his younger days, this could be exactly what’s in line for the Mohan Bhagan number 6.

Thapa’s biggest strength is his understanding of game rhythm – when to slow things down, when to accelerate, and how to maintain balance. That makes him a strong candidate for coaching roles focused on build-up play, midfield control, and long-term team development.

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