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Northeast United, being the only team to not have qualified for the play-offs in the four-year history of the Indian Super League is a pressure in itself, admits new head coach Eelco Schattorie for whom, making it to the last four is the primary goal this season.
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“If you have never qualified, you are asked to do so. Yeah, there is huge pressure on me. I believe lower budget and low-quality players don’t matter in football. Everything is possible,” said Schattorie, in his interaction with reporters at the ISL Media Day in Kolkata on Saturday.
The Northeast franchise has always been a promising one and have also started off well, but they have failed to keep up the pace throughout the season and have ended up on the last half of the table. Last year, they finished at the absolute bottom of the ladder, with three victories out of the total 18 matches they played.
Said Schattorie, “Taj Mahal was not made in a day, it took a long, long time. If you want to build something it takes time.
The Dutchman has had his experience with the club in the last season when he was the assistant to head coach Avram Grant. This season, he has Grant as his technical director and Arthur Papas as his assistant.
Goal scoring has been an issue with Northeast United and former PSG striker Bartholomew
Ogbeche would thus be a welcome addition to the side. Speaking of the limited resources of the franchise, Schattorie said, “I do not have a Mini Cooper or a Ferrari with me,” he said referring to the club’s limited resources.
“But my team will always try to win. I want to be progressive, not negative. There is no time to look back. We want to be a united team and try to make that goal realistic one. The young players tend to have a trajectory of being very good one day, and lacklustre on some other day. It’s about bringing consistency,” he said.
The fact that there have been a lot to changes in the coaching staff for Northeast United resulting from poor performances, doesn’t bother Schattorie who has been given the task to lift up a side that hasn’t been quite successful in the four-year history of the Indian Super League.
“If I start thinking about that, better I pack my bags and go home. I always had this belief to be positive. I really enjoy the day I’m on the field. I have no control what is outside. I have a good relationship with the owners, you never know what tomorrow brings. I’m just focused on my goal,” he explained.
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