Coach Manpreet Singh cements his legacy with Haryana Steelers' PKL win

When the Haryana Steelers players ran down the clock in the final of Pro Kabaddi League Season 11 last month, head coach Manpreet Singh, on the bench, was ready to jump out of his seat at the final whistle.

It marked a significant moment for Manpreet, finally winning the PKL trophy after coming close to the finish line multiple times.

It was a full-circle moment for one of the best Kabaddi coaches in the country. Manpreet had previously lost three finals as a coach before finally lifting the silverware with the Steelers.

Known for his emotional and animated character, along with solid tactical acumen, Manpreet had already won the PKL title as a player with Patna Pirates in the third season.

He became the head coach of the new franchise Gujarat Giants in Season 5, leading the team to consecutive finals. However, they lost to the Patna Pirates in the first final and to the Bengaluru Bulls in the second.

After leaving the Giants, Manpreet joined the Haryana Steelers in the ninth season. He led them to the finals one season later but again fell short, losing to the dominant Puneri Paltan.

The early signs of coaching prodigy

The signs of a coaching prodigy were visible during the playing days of Manpreet when he guided Patna Pirates to their first-ever title in the third season and mentored a certain Pardeep Narwal.

Without contributing much in points, Manpreet's main role was to stay on the mat and run the game from the back. His understanding and reading of the game and when to use raiders like Rajesh Mondal, Pardeep Narwal, and himself showed his abilities as a tactician.

“That was the first title for the Pirates,” he recalled in an exclusive conversation with The Bridge.

“I remember guiding the team during critical moments, like slowing the match down when the tempo got too fast or when we were trailing. Those tactical decisions were crucial.”

The transition from player to coach seemed almost predestined.

“Even back then, my approach was to think strategically. I’d analyse the game situation, decide whether to raid fast or slow, and adapt accordingly. Coaching feels like a natural extension of that," he said.

Apart from guiding the team on the mat, he acted as a mentor to young players like Narwal, who would later go on to become one of the best raiders in the history of the league winning two more titles with Patna.

“At Patna, I was not just a captain but also a mentor. I knew when to speed up or slow down the match and communicated that to the team. My role was to guide, not dominate. I wanted the younger players to shine,” he said.

His philosophy extended to his coaching career where he guided young teams like Gujarat Giants to the final and developed multiple players.

“A good coach must have a strong bond with the team and management," he said. "Listening to everyone and fostering unity is crucial.

"When the team wins, the players get the credit, and rightly so. But when the team loses, the coach must take responsibility. It’s a thankless job, but immensely rewarding when done right," added Manpreet.

Guiding Haryana Steelers to their first-ever title

Currently coaching the Haryana Steelers, Manpreet has seen the team evolve under his guidance.

“When I joined, the team was already formed. It took time to instil my philosophy, but the results are showing. Last season, we made it to the finals but fell short by four points,” he said.

After failing to win the title in the last season, Haryana went hard for Mohammedreza Shadloui in the auctions and landed him for little more than two crores.

Shadloui added the much-needed aggression on the mat for Haryana and the team was dominant throughout the season. They topped the points table with 16 wins and then went on to win both the knockout games to clinch their first-ever title.

"I was very confident that we will win the title. Our planning and execution have been immaculate this season. We prepare thoroughly, analysing videos and creating our notes," Manpreet said.

Making the team superstar instead of an individual

The hallmark of Manpreet's coaching is that his teams are not centred around a superstar, instead, it's a proper team effort with every player contributing to the win.

In the title-winning run for Haryana Steelers this season, the team played like one unit. In the raiding department, Vinay and Shivam Patare contributed equally with 164 points and 158 points respectively.

In the defence, Shadloui scored 82 tackle points and was supported well by Rahul Sethpal, who scored 73 points.

“Kabaddi is not about one superstar scoring all the points. It’s about the team working together. If everyone contributes three points, you’ve got a winning formula. That’s the essence of the game," said Manpreet.

His formula was executed to perfection this time as the Haryana Steelers recorded one of the most dominating seasons in the history of the league and also lifted the trophy.

When asked what's next for him as a coach, Manpreet said with a laugh, "The only thing I know is to create players and teach them Kabaddi. If the national team calls me, I will go but for now, I am enjoying my time with Haryana Steelers."

In a career that has spanned over decades, Manpreet has seen many highs and lows. But his triumph with the Steelers would be etched forever in the PKL history. For it made him the first-ever individual to lift the PKL trophy both as a player and a coach. An unparalleled legacy.