Houghton will need his tenure to learn about India: Nayeem

Kolkata, May 29 (UNI) Former National soccer coach Syeed Nayeemuddin made it clear that he preferred an Indian as the national team coach rather than someone from outside.

While stating that Bob Houghton was very experienced and a quality coach he apprehended that the cultural divide will be too big to bridge in his tenure as coach.

''He will take some two years to understand the country, its culture, the players and the standard and crop of players. By the time he settles down his contract will be over,'' he said.

''The junior team got thrashed by the Nepal team whose coach is Shyam Thapa and our junior team had a foreign coach,'' he said.

''There are so many good coaches in India. Why are they not being utilised. Subhas Bhowmik for example is a quality coach. Why do we always have to look outside,'' he said.

''I was given two matches to prove myself. Is it called time? My players got no exposure trip. They just played against the biggest teams in Asia,'' he lamented.

He further said the outlook of the foreign coaches was not conducive also,'' The AIFF annual report stated the way some of the foreign coaches abused the players.'' However, he wished Houghton all the best and hoped he would be able to bring a revolution in Indian soccer.

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