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Avram Grant is one of the biggest coaches to have come to India after he took over the reigns at NorthEast United FC midway through the season. Grant is someone who needs no introduction as such having managed tom Premier League clubs likes Chelsea, West Ham, Portsmouth.
The 63-year-old is known for his hands-on approach and under him, the team has improved by leaps and bounds. Even though the position of the team on the league table is not something the fans can be proud about, the style of play of that has been showcased under Grant is something that surely can bring a smile on many faces.
The former Chelsea boss spoke at length to Sportskeeda about his last couple of months at the Guwahati-based club. Here are a few excerpts from our exclusive conversation with him.
Q: Sir, how did India and NorthEast United happen?
Avram Grant: Well I came to know about John (Abraham) through a mutual friend and had a meeting with him. He asked if I could come and take charge of the team, to which I agreed. I have been following the league since its inception and also had offers from other Indian teams last season, but I felt that it wasn’t the right time so I declined then. However, now I felt I could help out the team.
Q: You have on a couple of occasions mentioned about the need for more academies in India. In what aspect are the Indian players lagging behind and how can they improve?
AG: See, first I would like to mention that India has some really good, talented players who really surprised me. Everybody was speaking about the foreigners who are coming to the league, but I found some very good Indian players. The problem, though, is that they are coming into the first team without having a proper academy background.
The main drawback has been the lack of footballing knowledge. Basic things like how to shoot the ball, when to pass, where to pass, how to overlap, when to enter the box, when not to enter the box, all these things. The players have natural talent, but you need to impart this knowledge to them also.
Another thing is the emotional factor or mental strength. That is something which I feel one can always improve upon. The good thing about the Indian players is that they are hardworking and quick learners. They improve very fast.
Tactics are not only about 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. It is also about when to defend, when to attack... and these things need to be taught at the academies. India needs a proper academy, not just any academy. Only then will the players improve properly. Everything can be taught at the academy...how to shoot, cross, run everything the only thing you cannot teach a player in the academy is how to be like Messi, how to beat 2-3 players at once.
Q: You had managed the Ghana national team for a couple of years. How would you differentiate between the facilities in Ghana and that in India, both of which are third-world countries?
AG: See first of all Africa, has a lot of natural talent. They have a footballing culture there. On the other hand, I don't like comparing places, but the ground and pitches in India are far better than what I expected, maybe, because I arrived here from Africa. Compared to Africa it's very good.
Even the national stadium pitch of Ghana is not so good, whereas here the games that we played, I felt, the pitch and grass were of good quality. Our training ground is good, and if we compare these to Europe, I would say they are fine, you can play football on them, no problem.
In Africa, there is another big problem. Some of the players get salaries of around $1 a month and that is why most of the good players are running away to foreign teams. In India, even that aspect is better I feel.
Q: What do you feel about football in India at the moment?
AG: See in terms of numbers India has over a billion people and there is talent, so you need to have proper academies and then you have to work about the mental side of the game too. And see it's not rocket science to understand that with the number of people India has, adding that with proper academies will automatically produce a lot of players.
I have seen kids play football in the neighbourhood and around the stadium so the will to play football is there. In 2009, I did a report for the Chinese government and I told them that you cannot go very far because you don’t have players playing football at schools or colleges and also around the neighbourhood. Now, the scenario is different in China and more players are playing the game. The thing is that basic willingness to play the sport is here in India but you have to improve on that. It's like building a building.
Q: Coach, now when you look back at your career what do you feel and what would like to share about it?
AG: See ever since I was a kid, I wanted to go to Europe and England especially. So, I spent all my money on football and roaming around the world and seeing football, and then I did my MBA to understand how things are why is it being done in that way. After that, I got appointed as the Technical Director of Portsmouth and we made it to the FA cup final.
Chelsea then felt that I had done a good job and offered me a job which was really pleasing to me. I had a good time in Chelsea and also in Portsmouth. After that, I felt the need to share my expertise in places where the need for those was more. So, I moved to Africa and then, I was in Thailand for a couple of months and now, I am here.
The one thing that I am really happy about my career is that I have been able to help players develop and get better. Even in Chelsea, I had a host of star players who, I can proudly say, improved under my tenure and were much better players from what I received them as.
I follow my own Triangle for philosophy which is based on three things: Mental Strength, Talent and Passion. You need these three things to gain success in life.
Q: India has another league apart from the ISL, the I-League which is running parallelly. Have you had the time to follow the I-League?
AG: Since I know that we will be playing the Super Cup, I have been following the I-League but only on TV. And, also, to look for good players for next season (smiles).
Q: There are talks of merging the I-League and ISL into one league, do you feel it will be a good thing for Indian Football?
AG: Absolutely yes, competition is always good. But you must ensure there are enough good players. Also, the situation regarding the composition of Indian and foreign players should be sorted out. See competition inside the team, outside the team and within teams will only raise the standard of football. So, it is a very good idea.
I also feel India doesn’t need to follow America style of closed league. I feel an open league with promotion and relegation should be there, that way players and teams who are good in the 2nd division can play in the first division and a team which is last in the table will also have something to play for.
I think India is the only country where two main leagues are played, and I don’t know why. Also, given the situation of allocating AFC Champions League and AFC Cup spots is also confusing so I feel one league with proper promotion and relegation should be in place.
Q: What are your views about the ISL as a league and which team do you fancy to win the league?
AG: It's difficult to say because the ISL is not a proper league, a league is a marathon. The system here is also different, you have a league and then it changes into a knockout, so in truth, it is a cup tournament and not a league. See, the team which ends 15 points below the leaders but manages to qualify for the playoffs has a chance to become champions, that way you have nothing to gain by being table toppers.
In Europe you have a league and a cup, here it is a mixture of league and cup and I am not a big fan of this. The only good thing about this kind of a format is the excitement and it will be very exciting to watch.
Q: What has been NorthEast United's biggest problem this season?
AG: Well, the start of the season was problematic as we scored just two goals in eight games and managed only three points. When I came in, I knew it would be tough to make the play offs. The good thing is we have improved a lot. Even though we lost against some teams 1-0, we played a good brand of football.
Q: Do you feel Indian players can play in Europe at the moment?
AG: That has to be the target. At the moment, it is just a one way street with players from Europe or South America coming to play here in India. Indian football will only rise when Indian players start making the moves to Europe or America and for that to happen, you need to have proper academies.
Q: Coming to the Super Cup, what are your views on it and format of the tournament?
AG: What is the format of the tournament? Nothing is clear as of now. All I know is we are playing in it and have to play the qualifiers.
It is good that they have a Cup tournament but hosting it after the league ends, is I think not right. It should be held when the league is running and then host the finals after the league ends. That way it is better. The one thing that I want is equal chance has to be given to everybody, no matter which league you play, equal chance should be given to everyone.
Q: What is the main thing that the ISL needs to improve?
AG: Scheduling because of all the flights and travelling around India. In Europe, also, I flew two-three hours and went to the hotel and then, training and all were good. Here, however, it is a different scenario. For example, to play in Jamshedpur you have to fly for two hours then travel by bus for eight hours. After the game, the players don’t have proper time to recover, and if you think of staying an extra day and flying a day after you will end up travelling the day before the game, which is next to impossible.
That is also a reason why the league sees so many injuries.
We played six games in 22 days, and then, we have a 10-day break before our last game which is really pointless. Even the EPL is not so hectic during Christmas week. So, proper scheduling needs to be done, with league games on the weekends and cup ties during the week.
Q: Coming to the controversial topic of referees, after your statement about refereeing standards in certain games, the ISL authorities have appointed foreign referees for some of the crucial games and the playoffs, what is your view on that?
AG: It is not a good decision, I am not a fan of bringing in foreign referees because that will not help the league to improve the Indian referees. The league needs to have a grading system for the referees and then, give the best ones the important and playoff games.
One problem that is happening is there is no feedback mechanism for referees. In Europe, you have a council who judge and analyse the referees and give needed feedback to the team. Here, that doesn’t happen. I have seen some referees who have made strange errors in two games and is back in the third game without any improvement.
We had penalties... two penalties, which were not given against Pune. It was the same referee we had in the Jamshedpur game. So, this kind of things should not happen. Like I go and tell my keeper after he has let in two goals between his legs where his problem is, someone should do that with the referees. If, still, the problems persists, then drop him for a few games. But bringing in foreign referees doesn’t improve the situation. I have seen foreign referees make bigger mistakes than Indian referees.
In truth, there are some very good referees in India who can easily officiate in Europe as they are always close to the action and also consult with the linesman and the fourth official. Those referees could have been given the duty of officiating the playoffs.
Q: Last question, coach, will the fans of NEUFC see you in NEUFC colours next season?
AG: I will help the team next season in some way or the other as some sort of continuity is required. You cannot always start from the beginning.
