ISL 2020-21: Continuity may be noble, but was it ever NorthEast United’s plan?

How quickly things can change in football, right?

Just a year back, Eelco Schattorie was elated after he led NorthEast United to their first-ever playoff finish during the 2018-'19 Indian Super League season. The atmosphere at the club was upbeat brimming with expectation.

That was quickly dampened, as it was clear that NorthEast United’s star-studded team would be dismantled in the summer with ISL’s top clubs ready to swoop.

The man behind NorthEast United's charge to the ISL semi-finals last term, Eelco Schattorie joined Kerala Blasters. Bartholomew Ogbeche, one of the league's best and Schattorie's main marksman at NorthEast, followed the coach to the southern city. Mato Grgic and midfield lynchpin Rowlin Borges swiftly moved for greener pastures and fatter pay cheques to Mumbai City FC.

During his tenure as NorthEast manager, Schattorie managed to prove his legion of naysayers wrong. From being perennial underachievers of the competition to title- contenders - the transformation was a remarkable underdog story.

During his tenure as NorthEast manager, Schattorie managed to prove his legion of naysayers wrong. (Image: Twitter/ISL)

A team built on a shoestring budget outsmarted much richer and famed teams by making most of the limited resources available.

Schattorie did not chase big money signings, preferring instead to focus on solid groundwork, ingenious scouting, and strong team support.

The Dutchman was very shrewd in the transfer market and made several bargain deals. Bartholomew Ogbeche, Federico Gallego, Juan Mascia, Mato Grgic, Mislav Komorski, and Josep Leudo all proved to be fantastic bargains in the eyes of many.

The playing style under Schattorie was another major talking point. It earned plenty of praise from fans, pundits and media outlets. Schattorie’s men captivated their fans with adventurous, and - crucially - attacking football.

In modern football, winning games is important, but there is also a responsibility to entertain the thousands of supporters who stick with the team in good or bad.

Schattorie deserved immense credit for obtaining these results that strengthened his case for a contract extension. However, NEUFC hierarchy to everyone’s surprise decided against renewing Schattorie’s contract.

Stability and security breeds’ success is one of the oldest adages in football and yet NorthEast seem no closer to taking that statement to heart if recent events are any kind of guide.

After entering the playoffs for the first time last season and then sacking the manager that helped them achieve that historic feat, the management has to take some of the blame for the way in which they have handled these affairs. NorthEast are at a stage where they badly need some consistency. Not a single manager has had two seasons in a row at the club and that lack of continuity is hurting the team and their consistency.

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