Mumbai FC coach Khalid Jamil looks back on his playing days and the challenge of coaching a professional football club in a one-on-one with Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com
· He was born in Kuwait and played under-14 tournaments there. During an under-14 camp, run by French World Cupper Manuel Amoros, he met the legendary Michel Platini and ever since the Frenchman is his favourite footballer.
· His family returned to India during the Gulf war and he started evolving as a creative midfielder in the country.
· Played his best during India's World Cup qualifying campaigns and overseas friendlies
· Turned down an offer from a Brunei club in 2000 after his splendid performance in one of the World Cup qualifiers
· Turned down lucrative offers from East Bengal and Mohun Bagan because they were sponsored by alcohol companies.
Top drawer football returns to Mumbai after five years and the renovated Cooperage stadium, in the south of the metropolis, is all set to host the I-League encounter between Mumbai FC and Sporting Cube de Goa on February 8.
Undoubtedly, the spotlight will be on Mumbai FC’s home grown coach, Khalid Jamil. Since announcing his retirement in 2009 and taking over as coach a year later, the talented midfielder whose career was cut short by an ACL tear on his right knee has done extremely well to keep the team afloat in the country’s premier football league.
The soft-spoken 37-year-old former India international looks back on his playing days and the challenge of coaching a professional football club in a one-on-one with Laxmi Negi/Rediff.com.
Do you regret not playing for Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan?
No. Once I take a decision it is final! I don’t ponder over it. There were incentives of quick fame and money, but, at the end of the day, when I go to bed I wouldn’t have got peaceful sleep. For me, a clear conscience is more important.
Your playing career saw an early sunset. You think your knowledge about football back then could have helped you?
I was very young and naïve. There was not much guidance available around me. When I look back, armed with an AFC (Asian Football Confederation) C, B and A Licence and Pro Licence coaching certificate, I always think, had I known so much about football I would have bettered my performance on the field. Therefore, I am always there for the youngsters whenever they need me.
You are the longest serving coach at Mumbai FC. Finally, your team will be playing their home matches in Mumbai. Are you nervous?
Well, first of all I feel proud that I have been part of Mumbai Football Club since its inception, first as a player and then as coach. The journey has been enriching. Also, I plan to be associated with the club for life-long or until they throw me out.About playing at the Cooperage in Mumbai, it will be the first time that we will actually enjoy home advantage. For five years Mumbai FC have played their matches in Kolhapur and then in Balewadi, Pune. It will be a pleasure playing at this historic ground. There will be no pressure, but we definitely would like to walk away with a victory.You were the youngest Indian coach to complete the AFC C Licence. How’s the journey so far?
I have been grateful to the Almighty that I kept accumulating the coaching certificates and last year successfully completed the AFC Pro Licence. This journey has been unique because I have been learning on the job. I was not a born coach. When I look back, five years ago I adopted wrong training methods, but that doesn’t happen now. I keep improving every year. Earlier, my training modules were not up to the mark, and I am not saying that I am the best coach today , but I have been continuously improving. I can proudly say that I am better than what I was four years ago.
You are one of the few players to survive as a coach at the top level. Was it difficult?
During my playing days the work from my end was only related to the ground. Once I was home my mind was away from football. But coaching is a 24 hour job. And, frankly, I feel that my personal life has suffered because of this.
But I still need to win the I-League trophy to call myself a top level coach. Until then I will continue to work hard with the team.
Mumbai FC has always been a mid-table team. With their shoe-string budget won’t it be very ambitious?
I don’t think so. And I don’t want to make the budget excuses. What if someone with the same budget would have done better than me?
Off the field you come across as someone very reserved and shy, but on it, all of a sudden, you turn into a motor-mouth. Which is the real Khalid Jamil?
I don’t like to talk much off the field whereas I enjoy myself when I am on the football ground. When it comes to coaching, practicing or shouting out the instructions to the players, I don’t feel restricted at all.
With the ISL it has increasingly become easier to coach the world’s best players. Who would you fancy coaching?
In the inaugural season I came very close to working with Nicholas Anelka, who played for Mumbai City FC. But things did not go as planned. In future, if an opportunity knocks, I will again look forward to coach a great player like Anelka.
Tickets for Mumbai FC's first home match are on sale on their website www.mumbaifc.com
