How to become a football manager in India?

Inspired by foreign football clubs and international teams, the Indian youth is unequivocally getting involved in preponderant numbers. Unfortunately in the past such a possibility of foreign teams coming to the country, to educate the youth never happened. Combined with the inefficiency of the sports ministry to promote the game, football took a back seat and so did the dreams of many budding footballers.

The ones who still feel that they can be a part of this beautiful game, and their football opinion can make a difference, or for that matter any aspiring guy who wants to observe and reflect his analysis on the game can do so, with a little more awareness.

Need for managers in the country

Do you prefer Cricket or Football in India?

A question raised by the Indian Navy in a group discussion round, for the selection of possible candidates held at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, invited a pretty healthy response. The biggest argument was the role of the Indian government, to which the applicants, finally concluded, that if football has a chance against the widely worshipped game in India i.e. cricket, then it has to be through a revolution carried out by the youth, where in football mangers hold the key.

A triumphal performance by any Indian club or the national team across the globe, needs a structural change in the system which governs the Indian football. This is where the role of mangers plays an enormous part. Right from the scratch, where a manger finds a way to develop a team through various youth programmes to setting up far-flung scouting networks, the manager also has as to install the right tactical ideas within a team, as to how to play an attractive and commanding brand of football.

The Gaffer is the most integral part of any team and in a building nation as India, his bit becomes humongous. The dying need for a good manger in this country is a concern; one cannot just put the blame on the government and wait for the tables to turn naturally.

A lot of awareness, especially through the increased interest of football among the teens is a welcoming sight. Concerned organisations and teams want to concrete this situation by inducting valuable inputs by a strong headed manager.

Challenges that a manager faces

Geographical distribution:

A country diversified by irregular terrain and different climatic conditions, one can understand why football is more popular in West Bengal, Southern India and the North Eastern regions of the country. Heavy rainfall in these parts of the country along with discontinuous form of landscape gives the people staying in these areas, a break from Cricket.

It becomes difficult for a manager to think of football any where away from the above mentioned places, thus limiting his growth at the grass root level, once he lands up in a place where football is less trendy. Now to propel football on larger grounds in these places, a manager will have to pull himself out of his skin and come up with marked drastic changes.

Unfamiliar clubs:

Barka Field, Barhiya

A lot of registered Indian clubs have been overlooked and one such football club is Jagdamba Sporting Club of Barhiya. A small municipal city in Bihar, has a fully fledged ground and a history to reckon with. The club is going through a downfall, as all the players look to move away for a better playing career . The club has been sanctioned by the state government to build a stadium, but a run of poor domestic results, coupled with a continuous failed attempt, to land up a good manager has eluded the team of having one.

A person claiming to have the potential to provide an assertive cushion to the future players of this club, can go on to become a Legend of Indian Football. Not only this club, but for so many of them, waiting in an endless queue to finally get some sort of salvation, for the game they want to play and grow with.

Social mindset:

The biggest challenge perhaps, one which a future manager himself must be going through. The present scenario of the country suggest the Indian families want their children to get a white collar job, no matter how repellent a child is towards this kind of a job. The fear of failure strikes the mind, even before one gives a try to assimilate what they actually want. A manager or a coach will face situations where a player leaves the club in order to secure dreams which were never his. Hence a manager should be prepared to face such a scenario and be able to convince his players, that why playing football is the right thing, if that is all they want.

Ex Players vs Student of the game:

Practical experience at a professional level is always wanted when a club dragnets to hire a manager. A person to have played the game for fun and never received the various accolades, faces a stiff challenge when compared to the professionals of the Indian football. A football license can always be helpful but for an inexperienced player, the battle to get the ultimate position of the boss becomes difficult.

Well you just cant become a manager in an over night journey. Struggles are important and as you apply for the managerial license , you will come across the various aspects about the game and meet so many professionals along the way, who will teach you how to proceed in becoming a successful manager.

How to become a football manager/coach in India?

A few simple steps: Again, only for dedicated people who are football fanatics.

As stated on the official website of All India Football Federation and The Asian Football Confederation , are the guidelines and rules to, how one can apply and become a football manager.

To get started one needs to apply for the AIFF D-Licence Course. You can download the form here: Application Form for Coaching Courses.