By Varun Deshpande
SHILLONG, Oct 25: Northeast United FC have announced Khalid Jamil as their Head coach for the Indian Super League 2021-22. History beckons as Khalid takes charge of the Highlanders, he’ll become the first ever Indian coach to lead an ISL side for a season. Let’s take a brief recap of his last outing with the team and what the 44-year-old brings on to the table.
One of the most experienced Indian coaches of the current generation- Khalid Jamil took charge of the sinking ship during the mid of 2020-21 season and how! Northeast United FC were struggling with a baggage of a winless streak lasting for seven games when Khalid Jamil stepped in and pretty much changed the course for the Highlanders.
Having had a superlative start to the season as they defeated Mumbai City FC (who later went on to be crowned as the Champions), Northeast United failed to find their winning mantra until Khalid Jamil took charge as the Interim Head Coach. It would have rather been challenging to walk straight into the thick of things, had it not been Khalid. One can trace his tremendous dexterity ever since his playing days. He represented the Indian National team at numerous occasions and even played for Mahindra United and Air India.
His managerial journey began with his former club Mumbai FC from where he went on to coach Aizawl FC, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan before joining Northeast United FC. Khalid is no stranger to hitting the headlines. What he showcased at Aizawl is quite unreal. From being the underdogs to achieving such a feat was seemingly unheard of in Indian football.
Khalid Jamil and co. won the I league title with Aizawl overcoming all odds in the 2016-17 season.
One of the most predominant traits of Khalid being his man management skills. He knows his players through and through which clearly depicts the team’s performance on the pitch. Picking the right person and getting the best out of him, is what adds to Khalid’s virtues as a coach. We’ve seen this in the past as he unearthed the likes of Jayesh Rane, Ashutosh Mehta, Albino Gomes and Lalruatthara during his tenure at Aizawl and so did we witness get testified at the Northeast camp. The Midas touch worked wonders as the fans found new heroes in Lalengmawia aka Apuia (currently an integral part of the Indian National team), Ninthoi and V.P.Suhair.
The new man at the helm gave away not even a single opportunity as the Northeast stalwarts grew in confidence and displayed tremendous tenacity. The team happened to find its feet at the right place and the points started cashing into the Highlanders’ kitty.
The philosophy resonated with the never say die attitude of the team as we saw them clinching crucial points from the jaws of defeat. Not once, but twice! Two injury time equalizers averted any hurdle for the Men in Red.
Northeast United FC successfully made it to the ISL Playoffs, only the second time in the history of the club. Khalid Jamil being the first Indian coach to do so, cruising high on the 10-match unbeaten streak. The unsung hero had a bigger task at hand though, the coveted semifinal encounter against ATK Mohun Bagan.
The team went all in and bettered their streak a notch higher, only to miss out narrowly having come back from two goals down in the second leg of the semifinals.
Northeast United FC might have lost the game that night but won zillions of hearts off the pitch. Indian fans found a glimmer of hope as an indigenous coach went toe to toe against some of the finest in the business.
With a new dawn laying ahead of us, as Northeast buckles up for another season can we expect the man to repeat his heroics? Only time will tell. (IFTWC)