'There are only so many countries that play cricket, football is universal': Owen Coyle

Chennai: Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle and player Connor Shields addressed the media ahead of Chennaiyin's season opener against Odisha FC, away from home on September 14, 2024.

The Chennai-based franchise has had a busy summer transfer window, with as many as 15 players signed by the club, and at the same time parting ways with 13 players from last season's roster.

With the club finishing in a playoff spot last year at sixth, they will look to compete for the ISL Shield with marquee coach Owen Coyle at the helm.

They kick off their 2024-25 ISL campaign with a tough away fixture to Odisha FC.

Read the key excerpts here:

Q: ISL has been around for 10 years. But the progress of the Indian national team is not on the expected lines. You have seen enough of Indian football to tell us what's wrong or where we are lacking?

Football often faces criticism on social media, but staying positive and balanced is important.

India was close to advancing in the World Cup qualifiers, needing just one more win.

To improve, we must invest in grassroots development, focusing on players as young as eight or nine, rather than just older ones.

This requires significant investment in coaching, facilities, and support.

Unlike cricket, football is universally accessible, needing only a ball to play, making it easier for widespread participation.

India has shown talent in cricket, and with the right investment in football, similar success is possible.

Q: There was a major overhaul of the squad in the summer. 15 players have been signed and 13 have departed. How satisfied are you with the signings made and how important was the preseason for developing understanding between the players and adapting to your style of football?

First, getting physically fit was crucial, so we had several double sessions to improve physicality.

Then, moving into games was key for match sharpness, as training alone isn’t enough.

We were well-prepared for the next season and signings, anticipating player departures due to expiring contracts.

I’m pleased with the preseason and the hard work put in. We faced various challenges, which is expected in preseason.

I have an honest, hard-working group with great team spirit. It's not just about individual talent but how well players understand and fulfill their roles collectively.

A big turnover takes time, but we’re excited about the progress. The longer we work together, the stronger we will become.

If we continue investing in football development, the rewards could be substantial.

Q: You spoke about improving defensively compared to last season. Do you think you finally have the versatility and the stability in the squad to make it more stable?

The goal is to improve on last season by reaching the playoffs and contending for the ISL cup again.

We aim to start strong, capitalize on home games, and maintain high motivation among players.

We need hungry, motivated players to avoid giving up soft, avoidable goals. While sometimes opponents will score with exceptional plays, we want to minimize preventable mistakes like poor handling of crosses.

By cutting down on these errors, we can reduce goals conceded and improve our chances of winning.

Defensively, we have more options this season, and we hope this will strengthen our performance.

Q: How hard will it be to replace Debjit Majumder and how hard will it be for the newer keepers to step into that role considering they have less experience?

First and foremost, they're both (Mohammad Nawaz and Samik Mitra) very good goalkeepers.

Debjit excelled because of the belief he had that the coach had in him.

And we'll give that same relief trust to Samit and Nawaz. May the best man win with two young people behind him Mohanraj and Mahler, which is great for the continued development of the club.

Q: Who do you think will be the breakout Indian player this season, from the Chennaiyin FC squad?

It's a very good question because there's a number of them I'm excited by. I think one to look out for is Kiyan Nassiri, we've seen him for many years, probably not with many minutes in the last few years.

There is also Gurkirat Singh. I also like Irfan Yadwad. He's great in the air.

His pace and his work rate are incredible. So yeah, I think there's a number of them I'm genuinely excited about and they'll get the chance and nothing will please me more than if they grasp it and take that opportunity to stay in the team.