Newly appointed Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC head coach Ian Andrew Gillan has criticized the heavy reliance on foreign players in Indian domestic leagues, calling for greater focus on developing local talent.
The over-dependence on foreign players in domestic leagues across India is hampering the growth of Indian football, according to Ian Andrew Gillan, the newly appointed head coach of Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC.
Speaking during a media interaction on Monday evening, Gillan pointed out that foreign stars remain key players across domestic leagues including the ISL and IFL, which hinders the development of local players. He emphasized that the primary objective of these leagues should be to nurture Indian talent.
Highlighting the Super League Kerala (SLK), Gillan praised its rule mandating two native under-23 players in the playing XI. The 61-year-old Scottish-Australian coach, who guided Calicut FC to the inaugural SLK title, recalled an under-23 player from Calicut FC who moved up to play in the ISL within the same season. Gillan stated that if he finds an Indian player better suited for a position than a foreign player, he will definitely play him.
Gillan, who brings coaching experience from Australia, England, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and Nepal, expressed confidence in his new squad, assuring Kombans fans that the team will give 100 percent and adopt flexible tactics based on their opponents.
Having fielded mostly Brazilian foreign players in its first two seasons, Thiruvananthapuram Kombans FC will feature a multi-national roster this season. The team aims to improve its poor home record and will open its campaign with an away match against Gillan's former club, Calicut FC, in Kozhikode on September 26.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Football. Photo courtesy The Hindu Football.