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Jamshedpur FC’s Scott Cooper faced the media ahead of their ISL season opener in Kolkata versus East Bengal FC.
On if the first team not participating in the Durand Cup puts us in a disadvantage…
It’s a good question, and it remains to be seen whether it was a good idea or not, correct? So, in terms of advantages and disadvantages, I can understand Mumbai, Mohun Bagan, and East Bengal taking part because they have a history of participating in it, and some of them are in the AFC Cup. So, it’s good preparation for that.
We made a decision based on what we had to do, and having so many games so early also limits the opportunity for training and learning more about your team. Some people will argue that you learn more during a game, but I don’t want to put a team into a game unless I already know more. So, for us, Jamshedpur has one distinct advantage in that regard. Our training facility is in a very small city and is easily navigated, so we can get a lot more training time. That’s why we chose that route, but I can see pros and cons for both. However, we are happy with the decision we made.
On how he rates East Bengal as an opponent…
Well, we all know I’m a new coach in the league. To sit here and try to profess that I know this, this, and this would be wrong. It’s all things I’ve seen on video, all things I’ve read. So trying to sit here and act like the all-knowing coach would be inaccurate. What I can say is that we’ve done our homework. We know they have a very good coach, a coach who has done very well in the ISL, made strides at Bengaluru, and achieved some notable milestones that still haven’t been surpassed. So, you have to respect his work. We know it’s a big club, steeped in history with a lot of good players. We understand that any teams playing at home in Kolkata are formidable opponents. Therefore, we are under no illusions that this is going to be anything other than a very tough game against a very good coach with very good players.
On the thought behind the changes made in the squad and how prepared the team is…
Yes, that’s a very deep question and would require a deep answer, so I’ll do my best. We need to start by looking at last year’s performance, correct? There was a certain amount of disappointment, although we reached the semifinals of the Super Cup at the end. The year before, we were Shield winners. However, we must consider Jamshedpur’s record over a seven-year period. We’ve only made the playoffs once. So, we need to examine both the Shield-winning season and the six seasons in which we didn’t qualify for the playoffs. We should consider both aspects.
If we look at the statistics, the club hasn’t shown consistency over a seven-year period, unlike some other clubs. To meet the expectations of Jamshedpur fans, we need to bring consistency to the squad and the team. I believe that’s what Jamshedpur fans want to see – not just one good season followed by a long absence.
Consistency is our primary goal. The way to achieve this is to build a short, mid, and long-term project with younger players coming through, mixed with some experienced players and foreign players who fit our philosophy of play. These foreign players should complement the experienced players and serve as mentors for the younger ones. This is a team that should gain momentum as the season progresses. We can’t expect everything to fall into place immediately, like some well-established teams such as Mohun Bagan or Mumbai. However, we believe we are in a good position and are happy with our current situation. We also believe that this team will continue to improve.
This team will get better and better. We have eleven new players, a new staff, a new head coach, and a new captain. We are looking to build something sustainable that can be repeated in the following seasons. As coaches, our objectives are to win games, develop players, and build a strong foundation for the future.
On the pressure that the first game of the season brings…
Well, first of all, we’re away from home for the first game, and as a coach, I’ve never minded that. In fact, I’ve always preferred to play away in the first game of the season. I often feel that the first game of the season has a more carnival-like atmosphere at times, and it doesn’t always bode well for us. So I usually prefer to start with an away game, and I’m happy with that. This is the closest away game for us, and I’m content with it.
Regarding East Bengal, we are aware that they have a couple of injuries, like all clubs do, including us. However, regardless of the players they have, they still have a very, very good coach, and there’s no doubt about that. So I would expect them to remain formidable and strong, especially since they are playing at home. The pressure is on them as the home team for the first game of the season.
We are also aware that some players may or may not play, as you never know in football, right? You can never be sure. Therefore, we will take everything into consideration. Of course, we’ve had discussions and talks about East Bengal, but as a developing team, we primarily need to focus on our own development. That’s where our main focus lies.
On if the game would be a clash of playing philosophies of two coaches from two different countries…
I don’t think you can equate two coaches’ passports to any specific playing philosophy. I’ve played against some Spanish coaches who play direct football, and I’ve played against some UK coaches who prioritize possession. There’s the old adage that some teams will go direct, while others will focus on keeping possession.
From my perspective, I know who I am as a coach, and I know what I want from my teams. That’s documented for people to see in our games. You can observe a certain consistency in our style, though not necessarily in the formation, as that depends on the players and other factors.
I believe it’s about club versus club, not coach versus coach. I have a lot of respect for him, and you have to acknowledge the work he has done here; there’s no doubt about that. I hold respect for all opponents and all coaches; I always have. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a burning desire to win every time. As I mentioned in response to a previous question, I never approach any game seeking just a point; my aim is always to win.
On his view of Indian Football having worked in other Asian countries…
Most of my background has been in the Philippines and Thailand, primarily in the Thai League for club football and the Champions League with Thai teams. Additionally, I’ve been involved in national team football with the Philippines. Although these experiences have been distinct, they have intersected at times.
I have also had the opportunity to watch the Indian national team play. I distinctly remember seeing them in the 2019 Asian Cup in Abu Dhabi, particularly their first game where they defeated Thailand; they appeared quite strong at that stage. The Indian Super League boasts some very talented players, enjoys substantial popularity, and has excellent media coverage. I’ve consistently kept an eye on it, given my familiarity with players who have competed in the league. For instance, there is a player from tomorrow night’s opponent, East Bengal, whom I’ve seen play upfront many times in Thailand – Cleiton Silva. Furthermore, I am acquainted with coaches who have worked in the league.
Therefore, for me, it’s a league that I’ve followed closely and acquired information about, and I have great respect for it. It would be particularly pleasing to witness an Indian Super League team progress further in the Champions League, as I believe this would enhance the league’s standing in the future. From what I’ve observed, there seem to be teams capable of achieving this.
It would be a positive development if Indian teams could reach the quarterfinals and beyond in the Champions League, akin to Thai teams. Such progress would not only benefit Indian football but also reflect the strides made by the national team.
Injury updates from the squad…
Certainly, people are aware that Ritwik Das has not travelled with us, and there’s no need to hide that fact. He’s currently undergoing some exploratory checks, and we’ll determine the significance of his situation in due course. Additionally, Petar Sliskovich,has been ruled out as well. So, these are the two setbacks we’ve had to address.
However, this is precisely why you have a squad of players, isn’t it? I mean, you’ll never hear me complain or play the victim card, saying, “Oh, we’ve lost this player” or “we’ve lost that player.” The squad exists for a reason. Players need to step up and fulfill their roles. With the introduction of the five-substitution rule, one could argue that how you finish a game is perhaps even more important than how you start it. Therefore, on any given night, you’ll probably use 16 players, and you must have a deep understanding of your squad and feel comfortable with it.
All teams, at some point, will have to contend with issues related to form, injuries, and suspensions. That’s just a part of football.
Sometimes you’re a bit more fortunate during a season, and other times you’re unfortunate. East Bengal is dealing with it, and we’re dealing with it as well. I’m sure every club in the league is dealing with something at this moment. However, you’ll never hear me complaining or making excuses. There are no excuses.
On Tata Football Academy’s influence on accepting the job at Jamshedpur FC…
That’s a great question, and it had a significant influence on my decision to take the job and ultimately accept it. There are 900 academy players in Jamshedpur, and this football club, along with its ownership group, is dedicated to achieving excellence and fostering development, not only in football but in various sports. Their integrity, dignity, and their way of operating are evident for everyone to see. They set an example in many aspects.
We have an academy that focuses on developing players, which is an integral part of any football club. A football club has two main objectives: winning and developing. You can’t always buy or trade players; sometimes, you need to nurture your own talent. This aspect of the club was particularly enticing for me. As a coach, you want to stay long enough to witness the growth of these young talents. In football, there’s often a hire-and-fire mentality for head coaches, making it uncertain whether you’ll see a 15-year-old player progress to age 19 or 20. However, we hope to accelerate the learning process for some of our young talents.
I’m thoroughly examining all facets of Jamshedpur Football Club, including the academy and the player pathway. I aim to establish a common philosophy that will become evident over time and enable us to nurture young players in the right way. Coming from an academy background at Leicester City and youth national teams, this aspect is of great importance to me.
I want to mention that fans love nothing more than seeing a homegrown player excel. It’s a special feeling that resonates deeply with fans. While marquee signings are exciting, there’s something truly meaningful when fans witness a local player emerging and succeeding. Additionally, nurturing homegrown talent can also save the club significant amounts of money in transfer fees.
Jamshedpur FC will kick off their campaign away in Kolkata vs East Bengal FC on Monday, September 25 at 8pm.
The action from this ISL encounter will be broadcast LIVE on Jio Cinema, Sports 18 and Sports 18 Khel (in Hindi).
