Coaching Crisis in Indian Football: Bhaichung Bhutia highlights way forward

New Delhi: Legendary Indian footballer and former captain Bhaichung Bhutia emphasized the need to develop Indian coaches for India to become a footballing superpower.

Often considered a redundant discussion, the lack of good Indian coaches in the past ten years has been one of the biggest red flags of Indian football.

"If we have to expect good results at the senior and become an internationally renowned team, we need to have good performances from age group Indian teams," Bhaichung told The Bridge at the event where the partnership between English Premier League club Southampton and Bhaichung's football schools was announced.

Citing India's lack of finishing ability at the U-20 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, Bhaichung said," Unfortunately, I think the results for under 20 Asian Cup qualifiers were bad and they failed to qualify which could have been easily achievable. When you see such problems as lack of finishing at the age group, you wonder what is wrong with the coaching system?"

At both the levels, grassroots and senior, India lacks coaches who are apt at developing players and playing tactically sound football. Barring the likes of Khalid Jamil, Thangboi Sinto, Bibiano Fernandes, and Sankarlal Chakraborty, there is a dearth of good Indian coaches.

"I think we still require a huge number of good quality coaches. I think a coaching degree is always easy to get, but it's not the end. I think the entire knowledge of the game, new ideas, knowledge about the players and the game is very, very important apart from the degree," said Bhaichung.

One of the issues that has been plaguing India is the lack of natural strikers with mostly being converted to wingers at the age groups or junior level.

Weighing on the issue, Bhaichung said, "I think we need good coaches at the grassroots level who can let the youngsters express themselves. I think kids, once they reach 14, I think from then on they need to start knowing the formation strategy, positioning of their game, and teamwork."

"The partnership between Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools and Southampton will aim to cover the gap as we are looking at a long-term partnership with an emphasis on the development of the coaches," he concluded.