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The Indian Super League will not only have some big-name international players but also high-profile coaches. One of the most prominent names among the coaches is Ricki Herbert, who has represented New Zealand in the World Cup both as a player and coach and now will be the head coach of NorthEast United FC.
Former defender Herbert played in the 1982 World Cup in Spain and 28 years later was in charge of the Kiwis at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where they crashed out from the group stage after three draws.
Herbert was in charge of the New Zealand national team till November 2013, when they lost an inter-continental World Cup qualifying playoff to Mexico. The 53-year-old’s last club assignment was with A-League outfit Wellington Phoenix.
It was with Phoenix that Herbert came to India for a friendly series in the north-east part of the country in August 2012 and he revealed how that trip played a big role in him joining NorthEast United in the ISL.
“Two years ago I travelled to India with the Wellington Phoenix Football Club from New Zealand and played in the north-east including Shillong. I was very fortunate to have made many good friends during my time there. When the opportunity became available to apply for the coaching position, I had no hesitation in putting my name forward.
“I had met Larsing Ming (general secretary of Shillong Lajong and co-owner of NorthEast United) during my time here and fortunately we had an understanding of each other. I really would like to thank all the owners for their support and selection in gaining this very prestigious position,” Herbert told Sportskeeda during an exclusive chat.
During the 2012 trip, Herbert also got a chance to have a closer look at Shillong Lajong players and some members of that team are now part of the NorthEast United squad.
“The trip was very supportive in developing our pre-season and provided very good challenges football-wise as all our games were competitive. There were a few players that played very well against us but there are now a number of potentially new talented young players at Shillong Lajong with a number of them being included in the NorthEast United team,” he said.
NorthEast United selected all 14 of their domestic players from Shillong Lajong while Herbert had a major role in selecting foreigners from the international draft last month. All the foreigners still haven’t arrived in India but Herbert is happy with the effort the local players have been putting in training so far.
“The players that are currently here have been very committed to the training schedule and have been great to meet and work with. They all have an exciting opportunity in front of them with the ISL, so they are showing a true dedication to do well,” said the former Wolverhampton Wanderers player.
Bollywood star John Abraham is one of the co-owners of NorthEast United and has previously talked about the importance of developing talent more than getting results. Herbert shares the same view about development of players but mentioned that they are aiming to be successful also.
“Mr Abraham has been very supportive in aligning a number of potentially talented young players to the team and this can only be a very strong platform moving forward for football in India. There is always a time component in preparing and developing young players and this is certainly part of the strategic plan. As a franchise, we also will be looking to be as competitive and successful on the field of play,” he opined.
Despite already having an impressive CV, Herbert stated that winning the ISL would also be another great achievement in his illustrious career.
“To have been to a World Cup as a player and a manager for my country has certainly been a very proud outcome for my football career. This opportunity in India is certainly another very special opportunity and challenge and one that I am certainly looking forward to.
“The ISL would be a fantastic competition to win, and would be a very big achievement personally,” he said.
After the high of being unbeaten in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, New Zealand’s results at international football haven’t been great since then as they even failed to reach the final of the 2012 Oceania Nations Cup and thus didn’t qualify for the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Herbert admitted that the Kiwis are currently going through a difficult phase but with time will soon bounce back and believes that New Zealand still must wait before considering the option of joining AFC like Australia.
The tactician is not the only New Zealand World Cupper to be in Indian football currently as one of his former players, Leo Bertos, is now at East Bengal. Herbert believes depending on their success more New Zealand players and coaches would consider plying their trade in India and he also talked about how the ISL could improve Indian football.
“The concept of the ISL is one of an extreme opportunity for the game in India. To align the development of many Indian players with the international talent that has been recruited has all the ingredients to support the progress and development of the game,” he concluded.
