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Khalid Jamil named new head coach of NorthEast United FC

By Abdul Gani
Khalid Jamil named new head coach of NorthEast United FC
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Photo: Internet

Guwahati, Oct 24: Ahead of the 2021-22 season of Indian Super League (ISL), NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) has named Khalid Jamil as the new head coach of the Guwahati based club.

This is the first instance in the country's premier football league that an Indian has been handed the top coaching position on a permanent basis. After a poor show last season, the NEUFC had to remove their then head coach Gerard Nus in January. Jamil, who was with the team as the assistant coach, stepped in on an interim basis and did his job brilliantly. At that time, there wasn't much expectation from Jamil but against all odds, the 44-year-old marshalled his troops with great skills, and the result was that the Highlanders qualified for the ISL semi finals for the second time in their history.


Jamil oversaw NEUFC's nine-match unbeaten run with morale-boosting victories over eventual champions Mumbai City FC and finalists ATK Mohun Bagan before going down to the Mariners in the two-legged semifinals. Born in Kuwait to Indian parents, Jamil was a midfielder in his playing days and represented clubs like Mahindra United, Air India and Mumbai FC. He also played quite a few matches for the Indian national team. He joined NorthEast United FC as an assistant coach ahead of the 2019-20 season. It was Jamil under whom Aizawl FC lifted the I-League in 2017.


Since their semifinal defeat in March early this year, the Highlanders have signed many new names. So far as many as 10 new arrivals have come to pass at the club. These are Emanuel Lalchhanchhuaha, Laldanmawia Ralte, Sehnaj Singh, Tondonba Singh, Joe Zoherliana, Hernan Santana, William Lalnunfela, Mohamed Irshad, Jestin George and Mathias Coureur.

The Highlanders kick off their 2021-22 ISL campaign on November 20 against 2018-19 champions Bengaluru FC at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim, Goa.

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