Khalid Jamil – The newest hope for blue tigers who ‘eat, drink and sleep’ football

An Indian who serves the full -time coach of the gentlemen’s national football team has been a rare phenomenon in recent decades. Since 1993, only two coaches have had the honor – Sukhwinder Singh and Savio Medira.

On Friday, August 1, Khalid Jamil became the last addition to that list.

«He is a man who eats, drinks and sleeps. It’s very difficult to find such a person,» says former India goalkeeper Henry Menezes Sports star.

Menezes was one of the most influential figures in setting up the I-League side Mumbai FC, the now desperately described club where Jamil started his coaching career.

Read also | With Khalid Jamil, India ends 13 years of waiting for home -grown head coach

«Jamil thinks of nothing but football. Many people want to split their time 50 percent on coaching and 50 percent on other work. He is a man of 100 percent of which was 99 percent passion and performance-oriented,» Menezes adds.

A midfielder-minded coach, Jamil started his gaming career at Mahindra United and learned from the legendary India captain Syed Nayeemuddin, a second place in the AFC Asian Cup and bronze medal winner of 1970 in 1970.

«He had a double personality (when I met him). Beyond the game he was an obedient and disciplined boy. But once he came to the ground, he was fierce,» Meneses, who also spent time with Jamil in Mahindra.

Jamil then won the National Football League (2006) and IFA Shield (2006) Once with the Federation Cup twice (2003, 2005) in Mahindra, where Menezes was the general director.

So when the former goalkeeper of India decided to form a new club, Jamil was the option to realize the dream. «We chose him for Mumbai FC because we won a number of senior players. It was a new team that entered the Second Division and he was Captain Material,» says Menezes.

«He played for us for one season and helped the team to be eligible for the i-League. Then he had small injuries. In the second year we made him a player-cum coach-the senior team to manage the side under 19.»

A survival specialist

The appointment of Jamil as India coach comes during turbulent times for the national team of men. A low ranking of 133 and no competitive victories since November 2023 is a solid challenge for the 48-year-old.

But that is a territory that Jamil thrives in. With limited resources he repeatedly achieved the best of his players.

In his first coaching tint he held a financially struggling Mumbai FC in India’s top flight for seven consecutive seasons.

«He started to take the coaching role very seriously. We saw his leadership quality – that he could be the next big coach in the country,» explains Menezes.

«Details is crucial for him, and hard work is something he never stops doing. He gets very intense on the field. His passion is unparalleled, and when it comes to discipline, he does not save anyone. We saw his leadership qualities shine through.»

Jamil’s family tree earned him a job with another newly promoted I-League side, Aizawl FC. The club, based in Mizoram, had just earned promotion prior to the 2015-16 season and was only looking for survival.

Jamil exceeded all the expectations-AanzaWl won the I-League of 2016-17 (37 points of 18 games) and finished above Kolkata Giants Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, as well as title defender Bengaluru FC.

«Nobody thought we would do that. It was just everyone who worked hard – the coach who gave us trusted and opportunities to everyone. We didn’t believe it either, but we did it,» Jayesh Rane, a member of that historical team.

Always has the players back

Rane started his professional career under Jamil in Mumbai FC and followed him to the northeast. During his 13-year career, Rane became a serial winner-three Indian Super League (ISL) titles and one I-League and Durand Cup Trophy.

«He treats young people very well. The key for young players is trust – and that’s what he gives them. If you know that the coach trusts you, you give 100%, even more. That is his greatest strength,» says Rane.

In the Indian Super League (ISL), Jamil has continued the Underdog stories -in Noordoost -United in 2021 and in Jamshedpur FC in the past two seasons.

When Gerard Nus was fired as coach of Northeast United, Jamil took the lead halfway through the season and the team led from an unbeaten run of 10 games to the semi -final.

«For a reason, he is the only Indian coach in the ISL. Although we were not a big team, he took care of unity and took us deep in the tournament,» says VP Suhair, who played under Jamil in Northast United. «He gives players a lot of freedom. Even within a fixed plan, he allows us to express ourselves.»

At Jamshedpur he replaced Scott Cooper in the middle of 2023 and led the team to the quarterfinals of the Super Cup within a month. The following season, despite the second lowest team value in the ISL, Jamshedpur reached the Super Cup final and the ISL-Halve Final.

«He gets 100 percent out of every player. If I don’t give myself everything, he knows how to push myself,» says Jamshedpur -goalkeeper Albino Gomes.

Gomes had fallen from the Radar of ISL clubs after a stint-ravaged Stint at Kerala Blasters, and played for Churchill Brothers and Sreenidi Deccan in the i-League-to that Jamil called him up Jamshedpur.

Under Jamil, Gomes became the Isl’s all-time leader in Penalty Saves (Six) and the only ‘keeper with 100+ Saves in a single season (102).

A pioneer for Indian coaches

Jamil has crushed several stereotypes in Indian football – from the preference for foreign coaches in the ISL to the conviction that success requires extravagant expenses.

Now he has the chance to break another: prove that Indian coaches can excel as national team managers in modern football.

«We have seen Nayeemuddin. Khalid is cut from the same cloth – similar to hard work, playing style, passion and character. But he is somewhat forward in terms of licenses and qualifications. If he gets a chance, he should not be left alone,» says Menezes.

«If an Indian coach succeeds, it will inspire others. We saw Manolo take on the role of the national team, but he couldn’t succeed. Why don’t you try Khalid now?»

The Blue Tigers were once Asian champions among an Indian coach – Syed Abdul Rahim.

But in the last 30 years, India has turned to foreign coaches from Spain, England, the Netherlands and Croatia, instead of looking inside without much success. Now Jamil has the chance to change that.