Football is often a stage for remarkable underdog stories, and in Indian football, the success of Aizawl FC in winning the I-League title in 2017 stands out. That team’s coach, Khalid Jamil, has now set his sights on another underdog – Jamshedpur FC, who surprisingly clinched their first Indian Super League (ISL) title in 2022.
Jamil, who took over the reins of the Men of Steel late last year, guided them to the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 semi-finals but narrowly missed out on an ISL playoff spot. This summer saw the departure of a key player from last season, Jeremy Manzorro, who joined Mumbai City FC. In his place, Jamshedpur brought in Javi Hernandez, a veteran ISL player with a proven track record, having won the ISL Cup with ATK and the Durand Cup with Bengaluru FC. Hernandez, at 35, brings a wealth of experience to the team, but it remains to be seen how he’ll fit into Jamil’s midfield puzzle, especially given his age compared to the departed Manzorro.
To replace Daniel Chima Chukwu, Jamil has re-signed Jordan Murray, a player instrumental in Jamshedpur’s Shield victory in his previous stint. Murray, at 28, is a younger and more agile forward than Chukwu, and Jamil will be banking on his chemistry with Javier Siverio in the final third.
Jamil’s reputation as a coach who maximizes limited resources is well-established. While his I-League title win with Aizawl is a career highlight, he also steadied the ship for NorthEast United in the 2020-21 season after a mid-season coaching change, leading them to the semi-finals. At Mumbai FC, he guided the team to seven consecutive seasons in the top-flight I-League despite limited financial resources. Even with Jamshedpur last season, he helped the team make a strong showing in the Super Cup despite parting ways with coach Steve Cooper.
Jamil’s tactical approach revolves around high-pressing football, reflected in his extensive training sessions. His teams typically attack through the flanks, relying on players like Imran Khan and Mohammed Sanan, who were key figures for Jamshedpur last season. This year, Aniket Jadhav could be deployed in a similar role. While Jamil prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, he’s a dynamic strategist, adapting his tactics throughout the season, using formations like 4-3-3, 4-4-1-1, and 4-4-2 in the 2023-24 campaign.
Jamshedpur’s high-pressure style, while effective in keeping opponents on their toes, can come at a cost – fatigue. The club has addressed this by signing two young full-backs, Shubham Sarangi and Nikhil Barla. However, Jamil’s biggest challenge will be to maintain a consistent team throughout the season, as injuries have hampered his previous teams. Injuries to Asamoah Gyan at NorthEast United and Komal Thatal and Ritwik Das at Jamshedpur last season had a significant impact on their respective seasons.
Despite some key additions, Jamshedpur still faces a challenge in competing with the ISL’s established powerhouses like Mohun Bagan Super Giant, Mumbai City, Kerala Blasters, and FC Goa. Additionally, some teams, like Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters, have conducted their pre-season training outside India against foreign clubs, giving them an edge in preparation over a relatively smaller club like Jamshedpur.
However, given Jamil’s proven ability to lead underdogs to success, Jamshedpur’s fans can expect a spirited fight from their team.
Players to Watch
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Jordan Murray:
Murray was crucial for Chennaiyin FC, playing a key role in their ISL knockout qualification after four years. He scored seven goals and provided four assists and will be a crucial part of Jamshedpur’s attack, particularly in his off-the-ball work. Having already won the ISL Shield with Jamshedpur in a previous stint, both he and the club will hope history repeats itself.*
Stephen Eze:
Eze, a Nigerian international, returns to Jamshedpur after a stint in Vietnam, bringing valuable international experience to the team. He was a key player in Jamshedpur’s defense under Owen Coyle and will be looking to make a similar impact this season. His towering height of 194 cm makes him a dangerous threat in set-pieces, as evidenced by his four goals in his previous spell with the club.Transfer Rating: 7/10
While Jamshedpur have made important signings at the back, with Eze and Lazar Cirkovic, and brought in a proven goal-scorer in Murray, the team’s foundation was built around Manzorro, who joined Mumbai City. Replacing him with the older Javi Hernandez is a gamble. The acquisition of Aniket Jadhav and Ashutosh Mehta is also a cause for concern. While Aniket, at 24, has time to prove himself, Ashutosh, at 33, could potentially be a liability for Jamil’s side.
Full Squad
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Goalkeepers:
Albino Gomes, Amrit Pope, Ayush Jena, Vishal Yadav*
Defenders:
Ashutosh Mehta, Stephen Eze, Lazar Cirkovic, Muhammed Muyikkal, Shubham Sarangi, Pratik Chaudhari, Wungngayam Muirang*
Midfielders:
Mobashir Rahman, Sreekuttan VS, Javi Hernández, Pronay Halder, Chawngthu Lalhriatpuia, Rei Tachikawa, Samir Murmu, Sourav Das*
