Thursday , March 28 2024

Exclusive Interview with Steve Darby (Star Sports pundit for ISL-3)!

steve-derby-aneesha-shahSeasoned football coach and television pundit Steve Darby is currently back in India for the third edition of the Indian Super League. I spoke to him about his views on ISL-3, working for television, his views on Indian football and more.

How has the ISL-3 experience been for you as a television expert so far?

Fascinating! You get to see every game in full and the replays, so its very intense. Star Sports are very professional and nothing is left to chance, you have to be on your game and full researched.

Do you have a favourite team to lift the ISL-3 title?

I’ll always have a soft spot for Mumbai City FC, my first ISL team, they are a professionally ran outfit and although none of the players we had in ISL-1 are there now, many of the backroom staff are and its great to catch up with them.

I also like NorthEast United FC as I love the passion shown by the fans and having spend a month coaching football in Manipur, the people are great up there!

There are so many NorthEastern players in the league the region deserves success. They are my Leicester City!

Which players, foreign and Indian, have impressed you the most?

The foreigners have to stand out and be better than locals. I think so far Emiliano Alfaro of NorthEast United FC, Edel Bete of FC Pune City, Krisztián Vadócz and Lucian Goian of Mumbai City FC have stood out and been consistent. Also of great importance, they haven’t been injured and misses games.

Indian players have made massive improvements since ISL-1, mainly in their self belief and confidence. They now look as they belong to the league and are their on merit. I’ve liked Anas Edathodika, Milan Singh and Souvik Chakraborty at Delhi Dynamos (all upcapped Indian players), Rowllin Borges has been outstanding in midfield as has Aiborlang Khongjee (Mumbai City FC) in defence. Also what a goal Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC) scored vs Pune City. And we have the Bengaluru FC players still to come at the time of writing.

It has to be good for the national team if these lads are getting so many tough high level games.

We were jointly involved at Mumbai City FC in ISL-1, now you are back in India for ISL-3 and are working for television. What do you personally prefer?

Television is fun! My heart is in coaching and always will be. Coaching has more stress but you get to be with the players 24/7 and working with top footballers is always a pleasure.

What differences and changes do you see between ISL-1 and ISL-3?

A big difference between ISL-1 and ISL-3 is the quality of recruitment. Clubs can now go and get their players and stand or fall on their scouting system, rather than the false auction system, in ISL-1 which had many poor foreigners in it.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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