Jamshedpur FC’s head coach Steve Coppell is not impressed with the Indian Super League’s existing draft system and he would rather prefer an open auction for players.
“I would prefer an open market instead of going round and round. Hope the draft doesn’t take place next year, but I don’t know,” Coppell said at the ISL Media Day on Sunday.
The Englishman added, “We had picked number one as three.
“We got a good goalkeeper and a solid defender. We had a list of a dozen names, but we got only 3-4 of them. But we made sure we had players in the right positions. I don’t think it’s an ideal way of doing things.”
Coppell also commented on the increasing competitiveness of ISL.
“There are some good match winners in every team and that is important. Potentially Jamshedpur FC will be a big club in ISL.” Meanwhile, the new rule of mandatory six Indian players on the field at all times in a match has been lauded by foreign coaches who said this will help develop local players.
“Until last season, six foreigners can be on the field.
NorthEast United’s head coach, Portuguese Joao Carlos Pires de Deus was pleasantly surprised with the quality of Indian players he has worked with so far.
“You ask me if the Brazilians in my team will produce magic, but what is magic?
“It’s not limited to Brazilians. Even Indian players in our team are very skilful and can produce magic.
“You see the kid with blonde hair in the u-17 World Cup team (Komal Thatal) and he was producing magic,” he said.
“The ISL will eventually see a player emerge, someone like the Virat Kohli of Indian football, who will inspire youngsters to play the sport,” Delhi Dynamos’ head coach Miguel Angel Portugal said.