Profile: Who should be the next head coach of NorthEast United?

Khalid Jamil, who lead the Highlanders to their best-ever finish in the 2020-21 season, has left the club.

Changing and chopping have often been considered to be a way of life for NorthEast United FC. The Highlanders have always lacked continuity, an attribute that is very predominant in modern-day football. It’s been eight seasons since their inception, but little has changed in the way they operate. 

After scripting a fairytale story from the sidelines in just half a season, Khalid Jamil was rewarded with a full-time role last season. In fact, he brought an end to NorthEast United’s philosophy of changing coaches every season, but not for too long. 

Expectations were set higher considering his miraculous run of form in the season gone by, but everything went downhill. Things didn’t really go well for Jamil and NorthEast United both on and off the pitch post his appointment. Off-field issues and disagreements took a toll on NEUFC’s performance on the field in the 2021-22 season. Hence, the Highlanders have let go of the league’s only and the first Indian head coach following a season to forget. 

On that note, Khel Now takes a look at the coaching needs for NorthEast United in the upcoming season.

Build-Up to 2022/23 season

The Highlanders usually start their offseason dealings in the back end of the transfer window, unlike this time. They had an average foreign contingent and a relatively inexperienced set of Indian boys last season. 

The implementation of the four foreign players rule did hurt them the most. And unfortunately, they’ve missed out on retaining the services of their best overseas player and skipper from last season, Hernan Santana. The Spaniard has moved to China to team up with the most successful coach in the history of the ISL, Sergio Lobera at Sichuan Jiuniu.

NEUFC have already agreed terms with 23-year-old defender Gaurav Bora. They have also retained the services of full-back Provat Lakra. Moreover, they’re in the process of finalising their head coach for next season and are also talking to a few bright domestic prospects.

Team Troubles

The Highlanders struggled big-time at the back and it was one of the major reasons for their lack of form last season. Build-up and scoring was never the problem, but defending their lead certainly was.

They opened the scoring multiple times against the tightest of defences, but failed to keep their lead intact every time. NorthEast United FC dropped 21 points from winning positions last season, the most by any team. 

Khalid Jamil’s side conceded 43 goals, the joint highest in the league last season and finished with a goal difference of (-18). 

One more major problem for them was their finishing in the final third. They created multiple chances one after another, but most of those chances went unfinished as there was no end-product. NorthEast United recorded the third-lowest scoring tally in the league with just 25 goals in 20 games.

Moreover, the fitness of their players was also a big concern last season. They always had players ruled out from matchdays due to an injury. The absence of key players cost the Highlanders heavily as it forced Khalid Jamil to field inexperienced players.

Coach first, players next

The Highlanders do have a few key domestic players under contract who are considered to be ‘untouchable’. Moreover, they’re also expected to re-build a new foreign contingent with either one or two retentions. 

But before they adjust themselves to the increasing speed of the market, they should finalise a coach and then continue their work behind the scenes. They should first consult the coach and his assistants and then start the recruitment process.

NorthEast United should try everything in its power to retain the services of the players who’ll fit well into the coach’s plan. It’s important for them to get the best possible players according to the coach’s requirements to get the desired results. 

And just in case they end up following their usual trend and go the other way round, results are there for everyone to see.

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Type of coach NorthEast United need

NorthEast United FC have a relatively young and inexperienced, but quality domestic unit. The likes of Rochharzela, Pragyan Gogoi, Joe Zoherliana and many others are the future of not just NEUFC, but India. So they need to be nurtured well.

The Highlanders certainly need to appoint someone who can develop the feeling of belongingness with not just the players, but also the region. Someone who understands Indian football and particularly the footballing scenario in NorthEast.

Spanish coaches have always proved their mettle in India. Therefore, NorthEast United should try the road taken by all the successful clubs and appoint a Spaniard at the helm. The coach should definitely possess a never-say-die attitude irrespective of his style. But we have already seen that attack-minded gameplay suits NEUFC more than any other. 

Therefore, someone like a Carles Cuadrat or Albert Roca who understands Indian Football very well should be brought in. They’ll help them achieve their long as well as short-term goals. Moreover, these coaches know how to get the best out of youth. And that would be very beneficial for the youngsters of NorthEast United.

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Coach’s route to success

More than anything, the Highlanders need to put a process in place to achieve their goals. They need to avoid clicking their panic button every now and then which results in the sacking of head coaches.

NorthEast United and their fans need to be patient and give the head coach a year or two to implement his plans. Once the process and a well-mapped plan are in place, results will definitely follow suit.

Even Rome wasn’t built in a day! And therefore, the coach should be given complete freedom, time and backing from the management. 

Road Ahead

NorthEast United have certainly failed to justify the hype and potential of ‘NorthEast.’ They haven’t been able to get their hands on the best talents from their backyard. Everyone else other than them are enjoying the fruits of their region.

They represent an area that produces the best young talents in the country, but the intent has always been missing. The lack of project building has hurt them despite the fact that they belong to the biggest catchment area in Indian Football.

John Abraham and Co. have failed to tap the talent from the region for years now. The lack of vision and approach is highly evident because they’re a club that lives on the fly. They wake up when everyone else has already finished their work.

The need of the hour is to invest in structure, scouting and youth in order to use their resources judiciously. Most importantly, NorthEast United need to understand the gravity of process and patience in running a football club.

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