By Meinam Amit Singh
SHILLONG, March 4: Is Khalid Jamil Indian football’s ‘chosen one’? One might call him that, especially if you are someone from the North East. The 43-year-old’s success as a manager with Aizawl FC in the I-League is something that the NorthEast United FC fans hope he can replicate this season of the Indian Super League (ISL).
Aizawl FC under Khalid Jamil had scripted history by becoming the first club from the North East to win the top flight of Indian Football.
Jamil has been at the helm of affairs for just over a month, after the uneventful sacking of former head coach Gerard Nus. His reign as the Highlanders’ interim head coach has seen the Guwahati-based team on a nine-match unbeaten run.
Nus’ exit came about after a series of unsatisfactory results saw NorthEast drop valuable points following a great start to the season. Jamil’s promotion to head coach from being the assistant coach saw the team qualify for their second-ever playoffs.
Jamil, however, refuses to take the credit for the team’s change in fortunes. “It is the players that make all the difference. They work hard and it is this hard work that has helped the team reach the semi-finals,” said Jamil while speaking exclusively to The Shillong Times.
The Highlanders coach insists that his team is keeping things ‘simple’ and ‘same’ ahead of their semi-final clash against the Kolkata giants, ATK Mohun Bagan. “We are keeping everything same as they have worked just fine for us,” said Jamil.
He, however, said that his team is not taking Mohun Bagan lightly. “ISL is an incredibly competitive league with quality players and coaches. We cannot underestimate anybody.”
“We beat Mohun Bagan in our last encounter, but we cannot be complacent,” added the NorthEast interim coach. “Anyone can beat anybody in this competition.”
When asked about the differences between Indian and foreign coaches, Jamil said, “We are all professionals. And as professionals, we (both foreign and Indian coaches) are expected to do the team’s bidding”.
“Indian coaches are tough, if given a chance they can definitely prove their mettle and stand toe to toe with their foreign counterparts,” said Jamil, who was once reported to be the highest paid Indian coach.