Indian Football Moving In Right Direction: Former Premier League Manager Phil Brown

Former Premier League manager Phil Brown believes the 2022-23 season will be a gamechanger in Indian football with the re-introduction of the cup competitions along with the league, which will aid in developing the sport in the country. The increase in the number of matches will also provide youngsters with a pathway into the national team in time for the AFC Asian Cup, the former Hyderabad FC head coach feels.

"For me, as far as coaches in India are concerned, it is manna from heaven. It is a fantastic move forward for Indian football. As a foreign coach coming to India, all we want to do is train with the players. We call it contact time. The more contact time you have with the players, the better chance the player has of improving. It is the most important part in my opinion for the improvement of individuals," said Brown.

"The elongation of the season, taking it into nine months takes contact time to another level. It helps the game to expand and improve but it also helps the coaches in knowing the players better from a psychological point of view. The whole package is now nothing but a positive for an Indian player," he added.

The domestic football season is set to being in August with the Durand Cup. The ISL and I-League begin in October while the season ends with the Super Cup in May 2023, completing close to nine months of football.

Brown thinks the increased number of matches will open the doors for many youngsters wanting to press their case for the Indian national team. India qualified for the AFC Asian Cup for a second straight time. The continental competition is scheduled for June next year.

"The first XI of the national team takes care of itself but the next XI or the one after that, you are talking about