Benali has come with a mindset that matches our philosophy: Mandar

Our Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Mandar Tamhane, the CEO of NorthEast United FC (NEUFC), in an exclusive interview with The Sentinel, shared exciting insights into the club’s vision for the future. Reflecting on the club's recent successes and detailing future strategies, Tamhane emphasized the importance of youth development, a commitment to Indian football, and the club's aspiration on the international stage. Tamhane also spoke about the crucial role coach Juan Pedro Benali will play in guiding the team forward. Here's an excerpt from the interview.

The Sentinel (TS): With victories in the Durand Cup and Governors Gold Cup, and reaching the final of the Bordoloi Trophy, could this be considered the best season for NEUFC?

A: Yes, there is no doubt that it’s one of the best seasons for our club. I feel we are on the right track. We’ve already laid the foundation, and this season is all about solidifying that foundation. We now have one aim from here: to keep improving, step by step.

(TS):  What is the reaction of John Abraham to the team’s performance?

A: He is happy, but I told him not to be too happy just yet. We still have a lot to achieve. If we compare the last ten seasons to current one, there’s no doubt that the club has done very well. However, I feel we need to take a couple more steps forward, and for that, we need to keep working hard.

 (TS): Do you agree that this season NEUFC has made some good signings?

A: Yes, absolutely. If you look at our team, 92% of the players from last season are with us this time as well. We always give importance to Indian footballers because they make up the majority of players on the field and play a crucial role in the team’s performance. At the same time, we give special attention when signing foreign players. While individual brilliance can win a match, we prefer foreigners who contribute to making the team a united force.

(TS):  Alaaeddine Ajaraie  is already in the headlines for his consistency in goal-scoring ability. What can you tell us about him?

A: Apart from being a great player, Alaaeddine is also an exceptional human being and works incredibly hard. He’s very similar to Sunil Chhetri in that regard. Sunil is a player you’ll see working on the ground even after practice sessions are over, and Alaaeddine has the same attitude. He’s always hungry to improve and take his performance to the next level.

(TS):  Can you share your club’s future plans?

A: In the coming season, we have set our sights on winning different championship titles. Our ultimate goal is to represent India in AFC-level competitions because representing our country on the Asian stage is always important. We also follow a process, and through this, we want to produce players for the national team—both senior and junior India. We have a solid youth development structure, and we now want to increase competition for our young players. We believe competition is just as important as good infrastructure and coaching. This season, we gave nearly 45 matches to our young players, and we plan to increase that to beyond 60 next season. Promoting women’s football is also a priority, and we aim to work with AIFF and AFA in this regard.

(TS):  You have extended head coach Benali’s contract. Any special plans with him in the coming days?

A: North East has tremendous potential, and we want to ensure that it reaches its maximum limits. In this regard, the coach plays a crucial role. Benali is a coach with huge experience. He has worked in three continents and nine countries. He has also held roles as a CEO, Technical Director, and even run a football academy. So, he has all the experience needed to run a club, which helps us immensely. Coaches often prefer signing big-name players to win titles, but we can’t afford that kind of spending. On the other hand, NEUFC believes in promoting young players, but many coaches don’t always accept plans to go with youth. Benali, however, has come with a mindset that perfectly matches our philosophy. With him, we want to move forward with our vision, as we firmly believe that to improve in the future, we must follow a certain process.

(TS): Is it true that NEUFC may shift its base to another North East state?

A: Absolutely not. Guwahati will be our base. NEUFC represents all eight North East states, and we are receiving full support from the governments of those states. In the future, we may take a few matches to other North East states as well.

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