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NorthEast United are back competing at the top end of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) in 2021 and much of that is down to their charismatic boss, Khalid Jamil. Having enjoyed spells as assistant and interim boss in 2019 and 2020 respectively, Jamil took the step up to take the reins full time for the 2021 ISL campaign and so far, so good.

NorthEast United finished a dismal ninth in the ten-team ISL last year, failing to qualify for the end-of-season playoffs and generally lacking a vision and identity. Fast forward six months and the Highlanders are dreaming again of a playoff finish and a chance of ISL silverware. A recent victory over ISL leaders Mumbai City has demonstrated that Jamil’s troops can compete with the best of them and should be well in the mix for a top-four finish.

Jamil’s Highlanders Defy the Odds to Beat Mumbai City, Again

Their hard-fought 2-1 win over Mumbai City secured a league double over their illustrious opponents, who had striker Adam Le Fondre in their ranks, a player that once performed for Reading in the illustrious English Premier League. That’s augmented by Mumbai’s vision to improve homegrown Indian players within their roster.

Head coach, Jamil praised the way his players are “working very hard” and how “motivated” they have been in recent weeks. The ISL has seen an influx of big-name players like Le Fondre, Vicente Gomez, Anthony Pilkington, and Cleiton Silva. This underlines the recent growth of the ISL franchise overseas, not least with the leading sportsbooks and betting on the ISL with Betway is rapidly growing in liquidity. Both pre-match and in-play ISL betting markets are available on every game of the ISL calendar. NorthEast’s most recent fixture at home to highly-fancied FC Goa sees Betway price them as 3.50 underdogs, as of February 3rd, despite their fine recent form.

Much of that spirit and determination within the Highlanders’ camp is down to the management of Khalid Jamil. Having successfully shed his tag as a defensive-minded coach, based on their hat-trick of recent victories over Mumbai City, ATK Mohun Bagan, and Jamshedpur FC, Jamil has been labelled a “players’ manager” by a Goal reporter, given the way that he has restored the belief of the NorthEast squad. Journalist, Ritabrata Banerjee, believes the key to their success this season is down to the fact that Jamil was given the freedom to “handpick” signings himself in the close season.

Khalid Jamil’s Journey from I-league to The ISL

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Jamil had something of a low-key playing career himself, before opting to head into management and coaching after securing an AFC Pro Coaching License. He certainly earned his management stripes in the I-League, when he took charge of his former employer, Mumbai FC in 2009. He helped them avoid the wooden spoon which was considered a major achievement given the club’s lack of financial muscle. His gradual improvement of the team saw Mumbai FC finish seventh and sixth respectively in the 2011 and 2015 I-League campaigns.

His success did not go unnoticed elsewhere in Indian football. Aizawl came calling in 2016, eventually leading the north-east club to their first I-League title in 2016-17. After a whirlwind 12 months with Aizawl, Jamil was poached by big-spending East Bengal the following season. The club forked out 1.25 core to make him the highest-paid coach in the history of the I-League. He then spent another season as head coach of the illustrious Mohun Bagan, before making the move to the ISL with NorthEast United. Initially, Jamil acted as head of the academy, the assistant coach and then the full-time head coach.

In his infancy as a manager, Jamil was wrongly labelled as a pragmatic, dogged coach. One that put defensive solidity ahead of attacking intent. There’s no doubt the Kuwaiti coach had to adopt this mindset in charge of Mumbai FC given the club’s slim financial backing, but his teams at Aizawl and East Bengal were a joy to watch. East Bengal hammered in 32 goals in 18 I-League games and finished as the league’s top scorers that year, before moving into the ISL. This brought the Kolkata derby to our screens and the signing of seasoned players like Subrata Paul.

Journeyman midfielder, Mahmoud Amnah, who played under Jamil at Aizawl and again at East Bengal, described him as a “gentleman” and someone that “brings unity” to the changing room. He also said that he was a “good tactician” as well as a manager. These are two attributes that could see him become an ISL icon if he can bring silverware to NorthEast United. Bigger clubs like Mumbai City and FC Goa sure to come calling in the future if his career remains on an upward trajectory.