CHARLES D'SOUZA
Former India coach suggests Indian coaches would learn more if appointed as assistants to foreign marquee managers
MARGAO
With opportunities not easy to come by for Indian football coaches to find employment with Indian Super League (ISL) clubs, former national team gaffer Armando Colaco has suggested that ISL franchises should look to Indian coaches to appoint them as assistants to their foreign marquee managers.
“What ISL organisers want is a marquee manager, a foreigner, to project the image of Indian football. But, I have requested the AIFF and ISL to absorb Indian coaches who can learn from the foreign coaches by assisting them. This can also help in sharpening skills of domestic coaches,” opined Colaco.
Though the All India Football Federation (AIFF) has engaged in conducting more coach-certification courses, Colaco felt that there is need for a system to monitor those who clear them.
“The number has increased from 10 to 12 a month. But, it is nothing compared to Iran that conducts 60 AFC courses every month. More the number of coaches we develop it will have a direct impact on the quantum of good players the country will end up producing," the former East Bengal and Dempo head coach suggested.
However, Colaco pointed out that Indian coaches have the power to learn from their foreign counterparts and the knowledge they would gain in the bargain from overseas coaches would also help in improving their respective teams and also players on the whole.
“Though the quality of coaches has increased, State associations have to pass on the message to their coaches to be serious. One way is to have a technical director,” Colaco explained.
