Exclusive: Khalid Jamil Talks About a New Dawn for Indian Football at the CAFA Nations Cup

On February 25, 2022, Khalid Jamil stood alone on the sidelines as his NorthEast United FC team lost 2-3 to Jamshedpur FC. This defeat marked one of the 12 losses that season, a stark shift from the previous year, where he led the team through a remarkable 10 unbeaten matches.

“I take full responsibility for our performance — whether we win or lose,” Jamil remarked.

At 48, accountability has been a cornerstone of his approach, and now, as he begins leading the Indian men’s national football team, he emphasizes the importance of responsibility from everyone involved.

“It’s an honor to serve the nation. We all need to be accountable, and I welcome this challenge,” he stated in an exclusive interview with Sportstar.

“This is a vital opportunity for our country, and we must function together as a team,” he added.

Over the past two years, the Indian men’s football team has struggled, leading to the dismissal of two coaches, Igor Stimac and Manolo Marquez, who often shifted blame onto the players or the surrounding environment—unlike Jamil.

This distinct attitude likely influenced the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to select him over experienced foreign candidates, including Stephen Constantine, who previously improved India’s FIFA ranking, and Stefan Tarkovic from Slovakia.

A keen eye

Throughout his 16-year coaching career, Jamil has worked with clubs across all levels of Indian football and remains the sole Indian coach in the Indian Super League (ISL), the top level of the sport.

Recently, he led Jamshedpur to both the league semifinals and the Super Cup final.

“He understands the game excellently and knows how to bring out the best in each player. He can motivate us to give our all,” remarked Albino Gomes, a key player from Jamshedpur and an I-League champion with Jamil at Aizawl FC.

“In training, he pushes all players to be better, even when they think they are giving their best.”

Jamil is the first full-time Indian coach of the senior men’s team since 2008 and only the third since 1993, following Armando Colaco’s interim role after the dismissal of Bob Houghton.

“Indian coaches have a better understanding of the team dynamics and players. If given a chance, they can succeed,” he said.

Indian Claudio Ranieri: Khalid Jamil (extreme left) performed an incredible feat by leading Aizawl FC to the I-League title in 2017.
| Photo Credit:
Rajeev Bhatt/The Hindu

Having trained with some of the top coaches in modern Indian football, including Sukhwinder Singh and Syed Nayeemuddin, Jamil has built a wealth of knowledge.

“Each coach has taught me valuable lessons, and I appreciate all their contributions,” he added.

An uphill battle

Jamil’s initial tests include matches against Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan, which will be tough challenges.

“Playing strong teams is beneficial for us. Everyone is eager to give their best,” he noted. “These teams are impressive, and we need to be ready.”

Straight into the fire: India’s first challenges under Jamil will be against powerful teams — Tajikistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media

Since August 15, the Indian national squad has been training under Jamil in Bengaluru, preparing for their upcoming matches in Tajikistan.

Some notable absences in the squad include record goalscorer and captain Sunil Chhetri, who is not included as Jamil looks to explore other players for the Asian Cup qualifiers.

“Chhetri is a role model for us, and the door remains open for him. He’s not in camp as we want to test other players before the qualifiers,” Jamil clarified.

Sunil Chhetri (left), who came out of retirement to support the Indian team in the Asian Cup qualifiers, was left out by Jamil in his first national camp.
| Photo Credit:
Ritu Raj Konwar/The Hindu

Additionally, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, the current ISL champion, will not release its players as the tournament conflicts with their commitments in the AFC Champions League.

Meanwhile, four new players have joined the camp: defenders Sunil Benchamin (the first from the Indian Army Football Team in 40 years), Alex Saji, Muhammed Uvais, and forward Manvir Singh.

“Everyone is working hard and is highly motivated, which is encouraging,” Jamil added.

Dynamic approach

Some view Jamil as a defensive coach, known for a cautious style on the field. However, his actual strategy is quite versatile.

Against teams that dominate possession, he employs a solid defensive setup (4-4-1-1), while against teams that rely on long-ball tactics, he prefers a more fluid attacking style (4-3-3).

Last season, Jamshedpur scored more than one goal in 16 games under him — the highest for any manager. However, they also conceded 43 goals, the second-highest in the regular season.

Team first: Jamil’s focus on building unity within his teams is one of his standout qualities.
| Photo Credit:
AIFF Media

What can we expect from the Blue Tigers under his guidance? “We must stay cautious and play as a cohesive unit — that’s crucial,” he states.

Jamil’s ability to create a strong sense of unity among players is a significant advantage.

Teams with limited budgets have excelled under his leadership, from Aizawl FC, which clinched the I-League in 2017, to NorthEast United and Jamshedpur, which made it to the semifinals under his guidance.

“He’s the only Indian coach in the ISL for a reason. Although our team wasn’t large, he built unity and took us far in the tournament,” noted VP Suhair, who played for Jamil at both NorthEast and Jamshedpur.

“He gives players freedom to express themselves, even within a structured plan.”

While the CAFA Nations Cup will be his debut, the true test lies ahead in the Asian Cup qualifiers against Singapore. However, Jamil is focused on the present.

“We need to approach this challenge step by step. The Nations Cup is significant for us, and we aim for a positive outcome,” he concluded.

Facing several regulars’ absences, Jamil finds himself in a familiar challenge — a situation he has thrived in before, ready to embrace what lies ahead with pride.

Published on Aug 29, 2025