ISL can’t have I-League’s tradition, says Igor Stimac

ISL and I-League have been in loggerheads for almost a year now with AIFF gradually showing total disregard for the older league by first slashing their match telecasts and then contemplating moving them to the second division.

I-Leagues clubs have demanded a meeting with AIFF President Praful Patel for long and the lack of response even led to many of them boycotting the Hero Super Cup in protest earlier this year. Newly-appointed coach Stimac has, however, stated that both the leagues have to co-exists peacefully in order for Indian football to improve. 

“We are allowed to dream. But hard work needs to be put along with that dream. There are certain problems between leagues, organisation. Everything can be sorted if we communicate,” said Stimac in his first press conference as India coach, reported Scroll.

“I-League has something that ISL can’t have – tradition. You can’t buy tradition. The Indian Super League is more competitive stuff. I-League is where the new young players are. It’s good for me. I am not going to say how it will work. But my opinion will be there. Any conflict is not helping,” he added.

Stimac was seconded by technical director Doru, who has been of the opinion that India would be needing more collective approach for optimum results.

“The situation of the leagues is not a conflict or war. It’s about being together. We need a positive environment and the right quality and quantity of matches. The way the games are played is important,” said Doru.

“India is a dynamic nation and we need to discuss and implement plans to play as a country. We need to make a national-level concept and we have a strategic plan chalked out, which we will start implementing,” he added.

The former assistant to Arsene Wenger and experienced veteran of 29 years in international football across several countries including France, Japan, USA, Romania, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar among others, also stressed on the ‘synchronised, possession-based philosophy’ that India need to adapt.

“We have to learn from the past. We have to discuss, find the solution and implement the same as a nation. We have to chalk out our principles and work towards a synchronised, possession-based philosophy. I have already sat with different coaches and now I’ll invite the players who played in the 70s,” Doru said.