Punjab FC youngsters clinched the Reliance Foundation Development League title 2023-24 under the guidance of seasoned coach Sankar Lal Chakraborty. A former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal player, Chakraborty has now transitioned into coaching and has managed big clubs like Mohun Bagan, Mohammedan, Sudeva Delhi, Bengaluru United, and, of course, Punjab FC.
After the RFDL championship, Punjab FC will compete in the Next Gen Cup in the UK, and all eyes are on Coach Chakraborty and his young, dynamic squad. Scheduled from August 1-4, the Next Gen Cup will see teams from England, India, and South Africa come together for the competition hosted by the Premier League.
Let’s hear from the coach on how the team is preparing for this new challenge:
The Punjab FC had a fantastic run in RFDL Emerging Champions. What were the key factors that contributed to this success?
First of all, our squad was excellent. The way Punjab FC has been doing through the last couple of years regarding the youth development programme was one of the critical points of our success. And full credit goes to the players. In the RFDL tournament, we played 16 matches. And in 16 games, we were unbeaten. That’s the quality of players; yes, the coach, supporting staff, and management- all of us can only provide support. I feel proud in my playing career or even in my minor coaching career, as a team, 16 matches going unbeaten.
What are your preparations for the Next Gen Cup? What strategies are you focusing on when facing international opponents?
Look, our first aim was to finish as the champions of the RFDL tournament. So, from there, we know we will now play abroad. First, we Indians in football—every player, coach, and manager—have dreams of playing with an EPL team. Now, this dream will come true. So, the players are automatically motivated. We started our plan last month and hope we’ll maintain our performance as we did in RFDL.
How are you using your coaching experience and insights to prepare your team?
Look, because of my playing career with Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, and because there are so many Bengali communities in the UK, we have received some news regarding Aston Villa, Everton, and Tottenham youth teams. Secondly, we are searching YouTube for videos. We also saw this Kerala Blasters vs Aston Villa match. So, from there, we are taking inputs.
How do you see the Next Gen Cup contributing to the development of your players?
Earlier, there was no All-India tournament like this. This is a huge opportunity for our players to showcase their skills and perform, and not only in India. If they played well, they might get chances in any European club or our ISL tournament. So, for them, they can build their careers from this.
Can you highlight the players crucial for Punjab FC in this tournament, especially in leadership roles?
Look, as a coach, I cannot say any one or two players. It’s difficult. And as I said earlier, when you win 16 matches in a row, it’s not because of one or two players. It’s a full team effort.
What differences are you expecting when facing teams from the Premier League compared to domestic competitions?
Look, when I was playing for our country, I was also captain of the under-19 team. Now, realistically, they are much more ahead of us. It is accurate, and we know our opponents are ahead of us. Still, anything can happen in football. If you see in the Euro Cup also, we are motivating players. Some tactical scenarios and some tactical points are also there. Let’s hope for the best.
How are you preparing the young players mentally for their first international experience?
We have made it clear to our players that we are not going to the UK for vacation. They are representing not only Punjab FC but also India. So, we have some prestige. We are showing them some old videos, like the Maidan movie, about how the players played abroad in 1952 and won. So, we are showing the players these types of videos to encourage them.
How does participating in the Next Gen Cup align with the long-term vision for Punjab’s youth development?
First of all, the RFDL tournament, which I also said earlier when I was in the Mumbai final, is a huge support for Indian youth football. Second, the way our technical director, Nicholas, has been organizing the total youth structure is excellent. Yes, we need more improvement, obviously. It is happening in Punjab FC; maybe, in coming days, all over India as well.
What has been the most rewarding part of coaching this team, especially with the youth team?
Seven players from this youth team this year are going to the first eleven team (Punjab FC). I’m proud of that. So, I want them to play these kinds of tournaments more so that they can show their performance and build their careers.
What are your coaching philosophies, and how have they been effective with this group of players?
Look, I am always committed, first of all. Second, I love to play in a more ball-possession style. So, from there, start with a goalkeeper, defenders, and play passes. If there are mistakes, they are always there. But always try to encourage them to play more ball possession. This is my priority.
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