I’ve same philosophies and playing style as Igor Stimac, says Terry Phelan

I’ve same philosophies and playing style as Igor Stimac, says Terry Phelan

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New technical director of South United FC Terry Phelan has stated his philosophy has always been positive, attacking football, the one that Igor Stimac is indoctrinating in Indian men’s senior team at the moment. He has also heaped praise on the baby league organized by AIFF across the country.

The first big misconception that Igor Stimac had to clarify immediately after taking charge of the Indian football team was that he had to move away from the “defence-first” philosophy that he was seen deploying with the Croatia national team in the past. And, the coach hasn’t disappointed either. 

In the few matches that he has been in charge of, so far, which includes King’s Cup and the Intercontinental Cup, the new age Indian side has shown intent about going forward and has looked quite threatening in the attacking third as well. Skipper Sunil Chhetri had also admitted earlier this month that playing from the back and building up has been the ideal way forward and with the Indian Super League following a similar playing style, it has helped the players all the more.

Apart from Chhetri, AIFF technical director Isac Doru was also heard stating the same recently in an interview, where he stressed upon the need for “a particular concept of playing” that would be the foundation for creating a separate identity for Indian football. Doru also revealed that some academies in the country have actually been working towards training players in that system and he surely would have Terry Phelan working towards the same.

“I believe in playing the game at tempo. Go and get the play and don’t bother about losing it. My philosophy is attacking, fast-flowing football with robust defending. All across Kerala, I have installed the same philosophy while coaching - play out from the back,” Phelan explained Sportscafe at the sidelines of the posh new in-progress complex of South United FC. 

“Don’t worry about conceding position. For these young players, when they get three-four years older, they will get the game. They will get the trend of playing out from the back and the insight to it. I have the same philosophy and values and if that’s what the head coach is looking for in the AIFF, then we have got to try and follow a little bit. My job is to help him and who knows maybe, I could get one player to the national team one day. My work is not to win matches, but to develop players and a style of play that will suit us as well as the Indian football,” Phelan added.

One crucial job of the technical director would be to bridge the gap between the junior and the senior level football, and Phelan couldn’t stress the importance of picking talent as young as possible enough. And with AIFF on the same page as him with their “Golden Baby League”, which has just become a grand success, Phelan was all praise for the initiative.

The tournament that spanned across age groups from U-6 to U-12, has been a huge hit in the Kashmir Valley, Mizoram, Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, with the likes of Karnataka and Kerala catching up quickly. And Phelan claimed that the continuity of it would be paramount to Indian football's success. 

“We have children from four years onwards where Spanish coaches are looking after them. It is fantastic what AIFF has done as it gives the younger players a chance to develop their game very early. The children need to know that it’s not about winning and the coaches training with them need to know that it is about having fun with them. 

“Maybe, we can now have some league for the U-13s and U-14s group as well. Psychologically and physically, it might be difficult for the youngsters, but if they are good enough, they can then grow. My team took part in the baby league last year in Kerala and what they have learned is crucial. They don’t get to learn to win in those tournaments but learn about the game and that’s very important,” Phelan concluded.

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