Football coach Khalid Jamil moves to lower rungs to keep career going

football coaches been forced to return to the lower rungs of Indian football to keep his managerial career going? On Friday, sources claimed Khalid Jamil had signed for a club currently playing in the I-League 2nd Division. In early May, news on social media had claimed that Bengaluru United were set to sign the 45-year-old in their quest to qualify for the I-League. Yet to make a formal announcement, the Bengaluru club may have actually hit upon a jackpot with their managerial signing.

Only 45, Jamil possesses an impressive track record among current Indian coaches, yet far from being in demand. There seem to be no takers for him in top-flight Indian football. Did the rumours of a breakdown with North East United in light of a disappointing spell as head coach finally work against him, that very few in the ISL are now keen on signing him? There was news of him being in advanced talks with Odisha FC, but it suddenly reached a dead-end to the surprise of many.

Jamil’s latest move comes barely two seasons after he became the first Indian coach (interim) in the foreign-coach-loving ISL to lead a team to the play-offs. He was rewarded for leading North East United to the semifinals, by becoming the first-ever Indian to be appointed head coach after it was mandated in 2020-21 that AFC Pro-License coaches could head ISL teams. Prior to that, Jamil had drawn national attention when he guided Aizawl FC to a famous I-League title in 2017.

His time, approach and success with Aizawl FC did wonders for his reputation as an emerging force in Indian coaching. “I haven’t seen a more sincere coach,” pointed out Hmingthana Zadeng, former Aizawl manager, adding that they worked very closely.