Jamshedpur, October 3: When Jamshedpur FC face East Bengal FC at JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday at 5 PM, it won’t be a rivalry of two cities. Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil had a bittersweet one-year stint at East Bengal FC and the clash will be a rare occasion in ISL with two Indian coaches managing both the clubs.
East Bengal had one of the worst starts in the ISL this season, which led to the appointment of Bino George as their interim coach, turning the clash between the Men of Steel and the Red and Gold Brigade a unique one.
In the history of the Indian Super League, only once before two Indian coaches have clashed, when Khalid Jamil’s NorthEast United FC faced Derrick Pereira’s FC Goa in 2021-22 season, which resulted in a 1-1 draw. Derrick was also the interim coach at the time, like Bino George.
Moreover, both the coaches have come through the I-league set up winning the championship during their stints with Aizawl FC and Gokulam -Kerala FC. While Khalid Jamil steered Aizawl FC to their historic I-League title, Bino George was the technical director at Gokulam Kerala FC, when the club clinched its first league title.
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“For me there is no difference between Indian or foreign coach. It depends more on the tactics and your footballing philosophies rather than where are you from and it is good to see more Indian coaches coming up. It will be an exciting match and we believe we need to give 100 percent on the pitch to win,” he said
Adding to the narrative, the head coach is facing one of his former clubs adding more intrigue to the already fiery clash. Khalid Jamil coached East Bengal FC in the 2017-18 season when the Kolkata club was playing in the I-League.
“Now, it’s about moving forward and focusing on what lies ahead. Facing them will be another important challenge, but my focus is entirely on preparing my team and getting the best out of them on the pitch. Every match is an opportunity to grow, and we are ready to give our best effort to secure a positive result,” he said.
With travelling fans, a packed stadium and with all the history, the clash between Jamshedpur FC and East Bengal FC is set to become fiercely contested match.
