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The Bob Houghton Saga ended with much bitterness and fanfare. Both Indian national team players as well as the majority of Indian football fans have expressed their dissatisfaction at the shambolic manner in which Houghton’s removal was handled. AIFF, predictably, has done the wrong thing by coming down heavily on players who have protested. But then again if you are an Indian football fan you expect the Federation to make irrational and draconian decisions. While the Federation babus continue their soap opera with football players they also will need to hunt for the next ‘coach to be sacked’ – Indian national football team coach. Let us take a look at the possible candidates and their profiles.
[ Note: None of these names have been officially nominated for the post yet ]
Subrata Bhattacharya
Achievements:
Subrata was one of finest defenders of his era. He served Mohun Bagan in a long and fruitful career. With Bagan Subrata has captured a jaw dropping 78 trophies as player and coach. Asia’s oldest club enjoyed a golden period under him in early 2000s. In that period “Babluda” won all important trophies in Indian football, becoming first coach to win two I-League titles. He was also awarded “Best coach of the Month” award by AFC, another first in Indian club football. He broke the glass ceiling by joining arch-rivals East Bengal some years back. In East Bengal his success continued with a Federation Cup title. With unheralded Chirag United, he almost captured an unprecedented Kolkata League title last season. Chirag has been doing well in I-League under him. This season they became the first ever non “Big-3” team from Bengal to win the Durand Cup.
Pros:
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Excellent match reader – Subrata has ability to change games by enforcing one or two impact substitutions.
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Good motivator – He was well known for his spirit during his playing career also and his teams show good fighting spirit.
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Not afraid to experiment – He tried a 3-5-2 system in Mohun Bagan once. Also he is very flexible with his strategy and employs different tactics depending upon the need of the hour.
Cons:
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Massive ego – Bhattacharya has clashed with club officials every where he went.
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Inability to groom youth players – he doesn’t have a stellar record in bringing up young players.
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No prior coaching experience in International football.
Verdict:
Subrata has a bad track record in clashing with figures of authority. If he becomes India’s coach then there is bound to be problems between him and AIFF officials. Such problems might affect the National team before major games. As a tactician he is unparalled in Indian football but his off-field controversies can be a major deterrent in hiring him as coach.
Armando Colaso
Achievements:
Colaso is the most successful coach in Indian football right now. With him in charge Dempo has turned itself into an unstoppable juggernaut. The club from Goa has captured four of the last six I-League title – a record. They have also captured the Federation Cup as well as the Goa League. Often referred to as Indian Jose Mourinho, Colaso led his club to a semi-final place in 2008 AFC Cup. No Indian club has managed to emulate Dempo’s success in an AFC level tournament so far. He is more than a football coach as he takes part in several administrative activities for Dempo.
Pros:
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Ability to extract the best out of local players – Despite having top-class foreigners Dempo’s success has been built on solid spine of local players. Many players from Dempo squad also represent the National team.
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Ability to build up a good squad – Colaso’s teams have good bench strength and losing important players don’t always affect them badly as they have competent replacements.
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Tactically balanced – He knows the correct balance between attack and defence.
Cons:
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Straight talker – Colaco is never afraid to call spade a spade. This might cause friction with AIFF officials.
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No coaching experience in International football – He does have good experience of coaching in Asian level with Dempo, but have never managed a national football team in his career.
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Lack of control – He controls majority of football matters in Dempo. With Indian team there will be a lot of things which will be beyond his control. This might affect his natural approach to coaching the team.
Verdict:
Perhaps the best option among Indian coaches, it’s not likely that he will leave Dempo right now. He has experience of working with big chunk of NT players so familiarity won’t be a problem.
Sukhwinder Singh
Achievements:
Sukhi Paji has been coaching for decades and has fair amount of success to speak of. He was one of father figures behind JCT’s rise to the top in mid-90s. With him as coach and a star studded team, JCT won the Federation Cup and inaugural NFL title. In last decade Sukhi has focused more on Academy which has affected JCT’s results. However, his approach to scout unknown players is commendable and should be followed as a model. JCT still remains one of the two teams to have never been relegated from top division. Sukhi also has a wealth of experience with National team. Under him India has won two SAFF Cup titles and defeated UAE in a 2002 WC qualifier match. Sukhi also led the U23 team to second round of Asian Games last year, the first time India has done it since 1982.
Pros:
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Adept in grooming players – He is one of the few coaches in Indian football focusing on youth academy.
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Experience in International football – Sukhi has had multiple stints with national team.
Cons:
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Tactics – Sukhi’s tactics are pretty similar to Houghton’s so the same problems which existed in Houghton era will persist.
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A good guy image – Sukhwinder has never taken AIFF head on for player facilities. During 2002 WC qualifiers Indian players often had to share grounds with school children. Sukhi submitted to it without protest – current set of players are used to better facilities.
Verdict:
Sukhwinder will be a good choice but right now Indian football needs his presence in youth level teams even more. He is irreplaceable as a coach for U23 or U19 teams and he should continue his fine work in youth level.
Phillipe Troussier
Achievements:
Troussier is nicknamed as ‘White witch doctor’ for his success in Africa. He first came to limelight by leading ASEC Mimosas to three back to back league titles in Ivory Coast. His work in the continent was rewarded with a stint at the helm of South Africa National team for 1998 World Cup. The Bafana Bafana did moderately well in its debut tournament. They were outclassed by eventual winners France but earned encouraging draws against Denmark and Saudi Arabia. The Frenchman’s next cycle of success came with Japan National Team. Under his management Japan captured 2000 Asia Cup title and progressed to second round of 2002 World Cup. In 2002 World Cup the co-hosts played three brilliant group matches – drawing 2-2 with Belgium, defeating Russia and 2000 African Cup of Nations semi-finalists Tunisia to top a tricky group. They were knocked out by eventual bronze winner Turkey in 2nd round despite playing better football in that match. Troussier was awarded with coach of the year title in 2000 by AFC. He was reportedly recommended by AFC to replace Houghton after India’s Asian Cup campaign.
Pros:
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Wealth of International experience – Troussier is a well traveled man and has coached in multiple continents.
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Style of football – He is a firm practitioner of smooth one touch French styled football.
Cons:
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Eccentric – Phillpe Troussier is an eccentric coach – something the AIFF is not well equipped to deal with.
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Lack of idea about Indian football – Troussier has managed two Asian teams so far – Qatar and Japan both teams have well evolved infrastructure. He might struggle to cope with the mismanagement plaguing Indian football.
Verdict:
Bob Houghton earned a beefy pay check after his contract renewal. Troussier with his experience will obviously ask for more. It will be interesting to see if AIFF manages to strike out a deal with him. Troussier has never been a coach who builds teams for a long period of time – he moves around a lot. His success rate in recent times has also been pretty poor.
Karim Bencharifa
The Moroccan has enjoyed a good career in Indian football so far. Bencharifa has managed Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan as well as Salgaocar and has delivered results everywhere. His teams play exciting and attacking football but are often frail defensively. Under his regime Mohun Bagan created history by pumping five goals past arch-rival East Bengal. That match showcased Karim’s strength as well as weakness – while Bagan scored five goals they also conceded three goals. Now as coach of Salgoacar, Karim has taken a mediocre squad on the verge of an I-League triumph by playing some delightful football. The Moroccan is also well known for grooming young players having done with the likes of Gourmangi Singh, Manish Mathani, Gilbert Oliviera and Francis Fernandez.
Pros:
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Style – Karim Bencharifa’s tactics are entertaining – something Indian football fans have missed in last few years.
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Grooming – Indian Arrows team and India U23 team has several talented players. Bencharifa is a good coach to groom them.
Cons:
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Politics – Karim has been known to take part in player politics. Karim lost the dressing room in Mohun Bagan because of this. He also got involved in an ugly row with David Booth when the latter won best coach of the year award two seasons back.
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Defensive weakness – Karim Bencharifa is the Luciano Spaletti of Indian football. His teams play an attacking brand of football but leave plenty of gaps in defence. This policy may backfire in international matches.
Verdict:
Karim Bencharifa will be a good fit if a foreigner is roped in to manage the national team. He has good experience in Indian football and is well versed with the conditions. One of Karim’s strong points has been his resourcefulness. Unlike other foreign managers he doesn’t complain about facilities but tries to maximize whatever he is given. He will surely bring more style and finesse to an often dull Indian national team.
East Bengal coach Trevor James Morgan has also been linked with the job and with his vast experience in managing football teams across the globe, he would have been the ideal candidate; but he is likely to be given a three year contract extension by the Red-&-Golds which puts him out of contention for the top job at the helm of Indian football affairs.
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