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‘I’m here to build something special at Chennaiyin FC,' were the first words asserted by Owen Coyle during his inaugural press conference in Chennai as the club’s head coach.
Chennaiyin’s enduring struggle to ‘build something’ has been a well-documented issue over the past few years. Following the success in 2018, their trajectory has been one of decline, achieving a top-six finish only once, notably under Coyle’s interim period as head coach. His departure after guiding the club to a final once again marked the beginning of a cycle characterized by consistent managerial and player turnover, resulting in inconsistent results.
Despite the optimism evident in his words, the Scottish tactician has always been cautious enough to recognize the necessity for time to bridge the gap. But many speculated and, in fact, expected that it would follow the familiar narrative of parting ways if results didn’t materialize.
Yet, this time, the club displayed unwavering support for Coyle during challenging periods, backing him thoroughly; and now they are reaping the rewards. The club’s owner, Abhishek Bachchan, even staunchly defended the head coach following a humbling 0-3 defeat to Mumbai City FC back in December when Chennaiyin were struggling to find results.
"Owen is family, and we have always said that once you are a part of the family, you always remain a part of the family. Having him back is just a wonderful boost of self-confidence. He knows the club inside out. He knows the DNA of the club," Bachchan told reporters.
The club’s DNA, as mentioned by Bachchan, has been the missing factor in recent years. While there was a central belief within the management and coaching staff this time around, it ultimately came down to how they transferred it to the players and, as an extension, to supporters, especially after years of poor results.
Part 1 - Transferring the belief
Chennaiyin FC’s start to the 2023-24 ISL season was undeniably dismal. With three defeats in the first three games, scoring only one goal and conceding eight, the Marina Machans found themselves at the bottom of the pile. Their chances of competing with teams around them were quickly dismissed, let alone securing a playoff spot.
Although their form improved after those initial defeats, the team appeared like a rough diamond, showing occasional flashes of brilliance, but still in need of refinement to truly shine. There were evident gaps, with Coyle frequently changing his system and lineups in search of the right balance, which never seemed to materialize.
One of the turning points, as Coyle himself mentioned, came in the January transfer window. The club opted to bring in just one player - Mobashir Rahman on loan - while their competitors significantly bolstered their squads. Things appeared bleak from that perspective, especially after a disappointing Super Cup campaign, followed by a disheartening 0-1 defeat to Bengaluru FC, fellow playoff contenders.
Yet, what those on the outside failed to recognize was Coyle’s ‘filtering’ of his squad in January. He believes that it allowed him to provide individual attention, while also establishing clarity in roles among the players and the club. Indeed, this is squad building 101, a factor often acknowledged but seemingly overlooked by those outside the team.
When questioned by Sportskeeda about what he believed were the turning points of this season, he responded:
"One of the turning point was in January, where I allowed a few players to leave.There was a reason for that. Firstly, it was to help the players, so that they can find a club in January and not wait until the summer. Secondly, from a selfish perspective, I wanted to focus on the existing group, so that my training sessions were better. The sessions have progressively improved in terms of quality due to a settled group and fewer player changes."
This settled squad has certainly proven beneficial for Chennaiyin, as it provided a path for Coyle to instill belief within the team. Defender Aakash Sangwan, now one of ISL’s most consistent full-backs, also emphasized the strong sense of commitment among players, while highlighting that they ‘are playing for each other’ compared to last year.
Connor Sheilds, having played in Scotland and England in the past, discussed in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda that the supportive atmosphere among his teammates was one of the prime reasons for his adjustment to a new and distinctly different culture - a challenge that many foreign stars have struggled with. He further mentioned that the entire team is a tightly knit group, always looking out for each other.
Ultimately, Coyle’s decision to opt for a smaller squad has aided the players in playing not only for the badge but, more importantly, for each other - a quality that was clearly evident in the final stages of the season when they ran their socks off every game.
Part 2 - Building optimism among the supporters
Attendance has posed a significant challenge for Chennaiyin FC in recent years. During their title-winning season in 2018, an average of 15,000 spectators attended each game, but this number has since dropped to 6,000, correlating closely with the team’s results.
A key factor behind this decline has been the frequent changes, resulting in a perceived loss of identity among supporters of what the club means. Despite Owen Coyle’s return, this season appeared destined for a familiar narrative until a recent resurgence, notably highlighted by the vibrant atmosphere during the final home game against NorthEast United FC, which played a pivotal role in Chennaiyin’s victory.
The scenes following the game were truly memorable, marking a renewal of optimism among the supporters. Chennaiyin have accumulated 19 points at home this season, six more than the previous season and four more than Coyle’s last tenure. The Scotsman has undeniably transformed the Marina Arena into a fortress, with recent victories over Odisha FC, Jamshedpur FC, and NorthEast United FC serving as evidence.
Shyam, a dedicated fan who regularly attends the home matches, shared with Sportskeeda how Owen Coyle and the club’s performances have sparked a positive shift among Chennaiyin supporters. He said:
"To have witnessed multiple brilliant encounters in the stadium, which led us to the playoffs, has been really pleasing as a fan. No matter what happens in the playoffs, Owen Coyle and his team have delivered us many great moments to cherish this year and we believe it will continue."
Ariharan, another dedicated fan in Chennai, echoed Shyam’s sentiments and believes that Coyle has contributed to the growth of Indian players, ultimately benefiting the club.
"First and foremost, it’s a huge achievement with this squad. Everyone knows Owen is mentally one of the best coaches in the ISL; he has always achieved the seemingly impossible things. But this time, Chennaiyin qualified for the playoffs not solely because of the foreign players, but also because the Indian players stepped up, which is down to him."
Setting aside the results, the club has embraced a particular approach over the past two seasons, harkening back to the roots of their proven success. Chennaiyin FC have built a reputation for nurturing young Indian talents, with the likes of Vishal Kaith, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Anirudh Thapa, Deepak Tangri, and many others, who have blossomed into regulars in the Indian national team setup after developing at the club.
Last campaign, Thomas Brdaric played a significant role in providing opportunities for young talents like Aakash Sangwan, Vincy Barretto, Ninthoi Meetei, and Jiteshwor Singh - a foundation from which Coyle has benefited this season.
According to him, this is the model that Chennaiyin FC will embrace in the upcoming seasons, favoring the development of potential talents over high-profile signings. Numerous rumors and reports indicate that the club is actively pursuing young Indian players in the summer transfer window.
This signifies a newfound consistency in squad building, addressing a pattern that had been lacking in recent years and offering the promise of long-term benefits. This shift, in fact, serves as a step towards instilling optimism within the supporter community, as it demonstrates a clear plan and commitment to the cause.
Despite all the success, which has undoubtedly pleased supporters, Coyle appears to be a man on a mission. “This is just the beginning, as far as I’m concerned,” were his initial words after he ended Chennaiyin’s four-year playoff drought. And if that isn’t cause for optimism, I’m not sure what is.
It appears that a storm is brewing in Chennai, and although it may take time and a few ‘punches to the nose’ as Coyle always mentions, the club, after enduring years of agony, are certainly moving in the right direction.
