Exclusive – The Khalid Jamil – Interview: A new start for Indian Football in Cafa Nations Cup

On the evening of 25 February 2022, Khalid Jamil cut a lonely figure on the touchline. His Northast United FC side had just lost 2-3 to Jamshedpur FC-one of the 12 defeats that season, a stark contrast to the dream run of 10 unbeaten matches that he had undergone in the previous campaign.

«One thing I want to say is that I always take the blame – we win or lose by me,» was one of Jamil’s earliest reactions.

Accountability has been one of the biggest virtues of the 48-year-old, Media-SHY coach. While he starts his journey at the helm of the national team of the Indian men, he now demands it more than ever, of himself and of his frameworks.

«First of all, it is great to work for the nation. Secondly, we have to take responsibility, and it is a pleasure to take on the challenge,» says Jamil Sports star In an exclusive interview.

«It’s a big one (the chance), and it’s about the country. We have to work together and the players must also take responsibility for the team. We have to work hard as a unit and for India,» he adds.

In the past two years, the Indian men’s football team has been founded in the Goldrums of mediocrity.

It has changed two coaches, Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez, who both pushed the envelope from debt to the ecosystem or the players, the opposite of what Jamil has done over the years.

Perhaps that disposition has tipped the scales in his favor when the All India Football Federation (AIFF) ointment, a native son, more than two experienced foreign contenders: Stephen Constantine, who had once helped India at 76 places in the FIFA Rangaia Tarkovic.

A sharp eye

In his 16-year coaching career, Jamil has managed clubs in the three divisions of Indian men’s football and remains the only coach from the country in the Indian Super League (ISL), the current top flight for men.

In his most recent assignment, he took Jamshedpur to the semi -final of the competition and the Super Cup final.

«I think he is fantastic at reading the game because he knows everything about a player (his power) and 100 percent can bring out an individual. If I don’t give everything, he knows how he can get that out of me,» says Albino Gomes, an integral member of the Jameshedpurkant and an I-League winner under Jamawl.

«In training sessions he pushes everyone, even if a player thinks he gives his 100 percent. That way that player is motivated to give more.»

Jamil became the first Indian full-time coach of the Senior Team men in 13 years and only the third since 1993. One Indian has since interim-declining-Armando Colaco-Na the dismissing of Bob Houghton.

«Indian coaches know the (team) atmosphere and everything about the players. That is an advantage, and their learning capacity is also very good. If they get a chance, they can do it well,» says Jamil.

After playing under some of the best Gaffers in modern Indian football, from Dhyan Chand Awardee Sukhwinder Singh to Arjuna Awardee and former India captain Syed Nayemuddin, Jamil has grown into a repository of accumulated wisdom.

«I have worked with many coaches, both foreign and Indian. They have all been good and I have learned many things from them,» he adds.

A tough battle

The first assignment by Jamil will be a strict challenge to be tadjikistan (2023 Asian cup quarter-finalist), Iran (a triple Asian cup winner) and Afghanistan (a side India has not more than three years), on the 2025 Cafa Nations Cup.

«It’s good for us to play against stronger teams. Everyone is motivated to participate,» says Jamil. «There is no complaint at all. We have to work hard. Looking at the opponents, yes, they are good teams, but we have to be prepared for that.»

The provisional team of India has been training under Jamil in Bengaluru since 15 August and will fly to Tajikistan for his group stage matches.

The team already has some surprise selections, with record goalscorer and captain Sunil Chhetri excluded and probably from Jamil’s plans for the approaching Asian Cup qualifications.

«Sunil (Chhetri) is a role model for Indian football, and the door is always open to him. He is not in the camp because we play a tournament that will essentially serve as a preparation for our Asian cup qualifications, and I want to try a few other players,» Jamil had previously explained.

Moreover, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the defensive ISL champion, refused to release his players because the tournament is outside the FIFA window and in September AFC Champions League Two obligations in September.

On the other hand, the camp welcomed four new staff: defenders Sunil Benchamin (the first of the Indian army football team in four decades), Alex Saji, Muhammed Uvais and Vooruit Manvir Singh.

«Everyone works very hard, and their intention is very good – that’s a good sign. We have highly motivated players,» Jamil reassures.

Dynamic approach

Because of his critics, Jamil can be received in the Duif as a defensive coaching parking from the bus, waiting for a chance to hit the Run of Play. But over the years his designs reveal a more pragmatic approach.

Against possession-dominating parties, he tends to deal with a heavy central and low block (4-4-1-1 against FC Goa in a 3-1 victory last season), while against long-ball play teams for preference, preferably a 4-3-3 (as in Northeast’s FCHESTERS BLasters against Bagan and Kerala.

Last season, Jamshedpur scored several goals in 16 games under Jamil, the joint-mast for every manager in that campaign, alongside Jose Molina in Bagan. However, his side admitted the second most goals (43) in the regular season.

So how can we expect the Blue Tigers to play among him? «According to situations, we have to be careful and play like a team – that’s the most important thing,» says Jamil.

Jamil’s preference for forging a powerful feeling of unity in his teams is his greatest asset.

Squads that have been assembled with Choestring Budgets are convinced under his custody, from Aizawl FC, who won the I-League in 2017 as Northeast United and Jameshedpur, who reached the semi-final among him.

«For a reason, he is the only Indian coach in the ISL. Although we were not a big team, he cared for unity and took us deep in the tournament,» adds VP Suhair, who played under Jamil in Northeast and Jamshedpur.

«He gives players a lot of freedom. Even with a fixed plan, he enables us to express ourselves.»

Although the Cafa Nations Cup will be its moment to break the ice, the real litmus test will wait later, when India Singapore plays at home and away in the Asian Cup qualifications. But Jamil does not look too far ahead.

«We have to go step by step. This (Nations Cup) is a big challenge for us. We have to get a positive result here,» he says.

With a part of the regulars of the national team, Jamil is in familiar terrain – his back to the wall. But he has proven time and time again that such perilous actions are Whetstone, and hope to enjoy a similar challenge, dressed in new robes, with the Tricolor on it.

Published on August 29, 2025