From reluctance to passion: Jamil takes over the reins of Indian football

JAMIL NAMED INDIAN MEN’S FOOTBALL TEAM COACH, TENURE LIKELY TO BE ‘TWO OR THREE’ YEARS

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Khalid Jamil's rise can't exactly be termed as meteoric but the last eight years has been nothing less than extraordinary for the 48-year-old, who Friday took over reins of the national men's football team.

If he decides to take a pause and look back to that summer of 2008, he might have a chuckle about his reluctance and anger after Mumbai FC management wanted him to coach the U-19s despite him being an active senior team player.

What if he would have rejected club's request outright? He didn't and thankfully August 1, once an accidental coach is now at helm of country's national team.

From carrying Aizawl FC to an emotional I-League triumph which many felt was a shot in the arm for football in the north east to facing immense pressure of expectations while coaching Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan with humongous fan base, Jamil has earned his stripes through the bump and grind of Indian football.