Khalid Jamil, known for his steady rise through Indian football’s challenging corridors, has been appointed head coach of the Indian senior men’s team — becoming the first full-time Indian to take charge of the national side in the Indian Super League (ISL) era.
The 46-year-old replaces Spaniard Manolo Marquez and takes over at a critical time, with the Blue Tigers languishing at the bottom of their AFC Asian Cup qualifying group. His first major assignment will be the CAFA Nations Cup later this month.
Jamil’s coaching career has been marked by quiet resilience and a reputation for overachieving with modest squads. A former India international, his playing days were cut short due to persistent injuries. However, his second innings in football — from youth coaching roles to managing I-League and ISL teams — has established him as one of the most respected Indian coaches of his generation.
He began his professional playing career at Mahindra United in 1997, later turning out for Air India, where he earned his national cap under coach Syed Nayeemuddin. Jamil was also part of India’s squad during the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers under Sukhwinder Singh. However, recurring injuries forced him into early retirement by 2009.
Soon after, he stepped into coaching, starting with the U-19 side at Mumbai FC. Promoted to the senior role in 2009, Jamil guided the team through seven I-League seasons, consistently avoiding relegation despite limited resources.
His coaching credentials were firmly established in the 2016-17 season, when he led Aizawl FC to a historic I-League title. The triumph — the first for a club from North East India — remains one of Indian football’s most memorable underdog stories.
Stints with East Bengal and Mohun Bagan followed, offering Jamil valuable experience at two of Indian football’s most storied institutions. He later moved to the ISL, joining NorthEast United FC as assistant coach before being handed the head coach’s role midway through the 2020-21 season.
In a remarkable turnaround, he led the Highlanders to the ISL playoffs — becoming the first Indian head coach to do so. He was retained as permanent head coach the following season.
In 2023, Jamil took over at Jamshedpur FC, guiding the team to the semi-finals of the Kalinga Super Cup within weeks. In his first full season, he took the club to the ISL semi-finals and finished runners-up in the same cup, reaffirming his ability to deliver results regardless of squad strength or marquee names.
Known for his tactical discipline and ability to inspire belief in his players, Jamil’s latest role marks a significant milestone for Indian coaches aiming to break through at the highest level.
With a challenging road ahead, Jamil’s appointment signals a vote of confidence in domestic coaching talent — and a fresh start for the Blue Tigers under a man who has quietly built a legacy of defying the odds.
