ISL 2017: COACH CONTROL – Chennaiyin FC Coach John Gregory's vision about youth may differ from Materazzi

WINNERS OF THE INDIAN SUPER LEAGUE in 2015 Chennaiyin FC, appointed John Gregory as the coach replacing the outgoing Marco Materazzi.

John Gregory, brings with him four decades of experience as a player and coach. Alongside playing for clubs in England, the Englishman has played for his country on a couple of occasions as well. The team under Materazzi that won the 2015 Indian Super League, consisted of two important key links on the road to victory, Stiven Mendoza and Elano. It was a time when, the ISL was a two-month and foreigner-dominated affair.

Things in the ISL this season, have taken shape of a more structured league, with the league being a longer one with enough rest and recovery and equal importance to Indian players as well. Materazzi will always be known for placing his trust on the youth of the team, in his time at Chennaiyin FC. It was the trust shown in Jerry Lalrinzuala that lead to him to be adjudged the emerging player in last year's ISL. And that was followed with Jerry being called up for the national team squad eventually making a debut this year.

ISL 2017-18 will be about building a stronger squad, a more durable one to sustain the longer duration of the league. John Gregory has guided English club Aston Villa to a runners up finish in the FA Cup. With his rich experience, Gregory may even not need the likes of Mendoza and Elano to make a winning team but if he will place his trust on the youth is something all will wait and watch.

Such was the faith of Materazzi on the youth that even after Jerry's mistake in one of the early games, he continued believing in him and that got the reward both Jerry and the coach needed.

Another young talent that got spotted and did well on being called up by Materazzi was 18 year-old Anirudh Thapa, who went on the play in the I-League for Minerva Punjab FC and got his debut too this year.

Gregory, will surely look to getting the ISL trophy home for Chennaiyin FC and given his experience, he does know how to get the best out of the foreign signings and the Indian players. If the trend of inducting youth among the first team regulars can be taken forward, is call that John Gregory will take as the season draws closer. Whether or not there are potential debutants emerging out of the Chennaiyin FC team, the team certainly have found a worthwhile mentor to challenge teams for the ISL title.

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