Why Change of Coach wouldn’t be a right option now.

by Chittu Shetty September 11, 2016

Both have a good knowledge of Indian Football for a Coach

Ashley Westwood is a good option as an Indian coach, but he also comes with uncertainties.

With reports suggesting that AIFF is looking at an I-League winning coach to take over the reins from Constantine come February, there is a high chance AIFF wants former BFC coach, Ashley Westwood to take over from Constantine.

The Former Bengaluru FC manager is no doubt one of the best coaches available in the current Indian football scenario, Leading BFC to two I-League titles, a Federation Cup win and to the AFC Cup quarter-finals in his three-year stint before parting ways with the team at the end of May this year.

There is little doubt of Westwood’s capability as coach for the national team. He is also a great promoter of young players like Constantine, but in football you cannot guarantee success and Westwood’s selection may not immediately produce result.

There are few reasons that would suggest it might not be the best time to bring in Ashley Westwood as a new coach.

1. Starting from the Midway:

With BFC, it was starting from the scratch; the management had given him free License in decisions for the club, from team selections like resting Chhetri in his first game in charge to selecting a strict diet for player’s fitness. A lot of time was available during Westwood’s BFC days with most of the players signed under his observation but in the National setup things change. There are less time available to spend with players with rare National camps and even rare friendly games to test players.

2. Pressure of delivering:

There was no pressure of delivering result right away with BFC, as they were granted 3 years relegation free entry to I league. It won’t be the same with the National team. He would be looking at big Asian cup qualifiers within month. And failure over there would be a huge disappointment and a step backward for the National team.

3. Player- Coach adjustment:

For any new manager one of the biggest headaches is selecting his best available side. Constantine has chopped and changed and brought around 30 new players debuting for the National players in his tenure. He has known the young ones better with the recent camps and will be better in judging them right now. With Westwood, it could take time realizing the best players for certain position, and may prefer a different set of players and repeat of experimentation with team would mean, waste of better part of Constantine’s stint.

4. An Outspoken Coach:

One of the major attributes of Ashley Westwood BFC tenure has been his outspoken nature. AIFF’s incompetency in arranging friendly matches, national camps and required facilities could come back to haunt them if Westwood comes to helm as India’s coach. The former Blackburn Assistant coach has a history of losing his cool, giving controversial statements against opponents and officials alike.

Also Read:Can India have its own Distinctive football style?

Availability is an opportunity but patience is the need of hour

The former Blackburn Rovers assistant manager availability is definitely a lusty option for AIFF and Ashley Westwood has kept his resume updated and impressive with his just finished AFC Pro License’s last module and also having enrolled for a UEFA Pro License.

Back in June after mutually ending his ties with BFC, the Manchester United Academy graduate had shown interest to take over the reins of an Indian club again depending upon the kind of offers he is made.

“I am wide open. I am not contracted to anybody. I am ready to listen to anyone and that is part and parcel of football,” Westwood had said.

“There are always options but you need to find the good one. As a coach, you need offers and opportunities. You have to wait and see who fancies you and when it comes up you speak, assess and see if you’re on the same page,” he said.

But Patience will be key right now, the Indian team is looking at an upward direction with pieces finally falling to its right place, Coach and players are looking comfortable with each other. Constantine has done good enough to develop a pool of young players for the next 5-6 years and his team seems to respond to him well. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the only Indian International presently plying his trade in Europe has credited Constantine in improving the competitive level of the team, “Under Constantine, no one has a guaranteed place. There is back-up for every playing position and we all know we cannot take our position for granted.”

Ashley Westwood may turn out to be the best option or maybe not, But right now we have to back Constantine so that the National teams purple patch doesn’t see any hindrance for the near future.