Football in India has continued to improve over the years. Apart from former players, a growing number of people have taken interest in coaching at the highest level in India. Lots of coaches have been involved in one way or the other in the growth of the game in India. India has produced some really good coaches. This article takes a look at some of the successful Indian football coaches of all time.
1. Khalid Ahmed Jalil
Khalid is a Kuwaiti-born former Indian national team player who also represented the Blue Tigers between 1998-2001. Jalil played just eleven games. He would later go into coaching. Khalid Jamil began his managerial career at erstwhile Mumbai FC in 2009. He worked for the club for six years, making a name for himself for nurturing youngsters. He joined Aizawl FC ahead of the 2016-17 season, before guiding them to their first I-League title. In January 2019, he was appointed the interim coach of Mohun Bagan for the remainder of the season. He later joined ISL outfit NorthEast United ahead of the 2019-20 season. He was appointed as the interim head coach of the Highlanders for the rest of the season.
2. Derrick Pereira
The current Technical Director of FC Goa, Derrick Pereira has managed more than a handful of Indian clubs. However, he got his breakthrough at Mahindra United. He was at the helm between 2005-2009, winning four trophies (one NFL, one Federation Cup and two IFA Shields). The tactician also has prior experience managing at Pune FC, DSK Shivajians, Salgaocar and Churchill Brothers. He has also managed the Indian U-23 side in 2019.
3. Sanjoy Sen
Sanjoy Sen began his managerial career with Prayag United in 2010. The 60-year-old won his first silverware with iconic Kolkata club Mohammedan Sporting Club in 2013 when they clinched the Durand Cup. In the same year, he guided the black panthers to the runners-up finish in the 2nd Division I-League. In the subsequent year, Sen won the IFA Shield with Mohammedan before joining Mohun Bagan. In his debut season with the Mariners, he guided them to win the I-League (first top-flight title in 14 years).
Furthermore, Mohun Bagan also won the Federation Cup under his tutelage in the 2015-16 season. Sanjoy Sen also won the ISL as an assistant coach of erstwhile ATK in the 2019-20 season. Currently, he is working as assistant coach to Antonio Lopez Habas at ATK Mohun Bagan.
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4. Subhash Bhowmick
Subhash Bhowmick is one of the most celebrated coaches in Indian football. The veteran tactician is said to be a superior strategist to most of the coaches of his era, despite being an AFC B License holder. During his second stint with East Bengal, he helped the Red & Gold Brigade win back-to-back NFL titles in 2003-04 and 2004-05. It has also won the CFL, IFA Shield and Durand Cup. Under his stewardship, East Bengal won the LG ASEAN Club Cup in 2003, which is considered his greatest trophy win.
5. Armando Colaco
The 67-year-old manager is one of the most successful coaches in the history of the I-league. He managed some of the top Indian football clubs like Churchill Brothers and Dempo FC. At Dempo, he had an impressive wins record winning 119 out of 217 games played between 2000-2003. After Armando’s successful stint with the aforementioned clubs, he went on to coach the Indian national team for a few months in 2011. In 2008, Colaco became the first I-League manager to lead an Indian team to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup .
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