COACH CONTROL: Real test for inexperienced Anelka as Barfi's team watches hopefully
THE SECOND SEASON of the Indian Super League promises to be more exciting than the first edition. And to back up all that talk, it has proof in the retention of the 36-year-old French striker Nicolas Sebastien Anelka by Mumbai City FC, with the added role of being the manager of the team.
In the inaugural ISL, Anelka got to feature in a handful of matches that left the fans wanting for more. This time, standing in the sidelines and guiding the players through the matches, he has the chance to deliver something beyond what the fans were expecting.
We are proud to anounce our Marquee Player/Manager, Nicolas Anelka. #WelcomeAnelka pic.twitter.com/JffHbtcex6
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) July 3, 2015There have been some concerns about trusting a man like Anelka, who has been in trouble for disciplinary issues in the past and has little experience in coaching, with the harmony of the dressing room. But even though Anelka doesn't have the cleanest of records, he has maintained a low profile otherwise. And coaching Mumbai City won't be his first stint at managing a team; previously he has been at the helm of the Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in 2012, also as a player-manager.
Back then he was roped in to save a season falling apart under Jean Tigana's watch. The Shenhua management thought it would attract more known players into the Chinese league and also boost the team's confidence as he's been an experienced player. It did pay off for them, albeit partially; Shenhua made only a mild recovery from their bad form, but Anelka's contacts helped them land Didier Drogba, who came in and became the highest scorer of the season. This probably saved them from a major threat of relegation.
It is in the same hope and faith that Mumbai City have roped him in as the manager of their side. They will be hopeful that under Anelka's guidance Mumbai City will be able to turn around from the debacle that was their inaugural ISL season under Peter Reid, where they finished 7th in the table.
Anelka is only the second player along with Roberto Carlos of Delhi Dynamos who will be seen donning the daunting double-role of player-manager.
The experience the 36-year-old has gained over the years playing almost all over the globe, starting from Paris to England to China and now to Mumbai, will be worth betting on. He got a good reception in the first season from the fans, who will now keenly be observing his new role and how he does justice to it.
Talking to Gulf News about his managerial stint he said,
"I've never thought about being a manager. I took this opportunity to see something else."
Ask him what he prefers between coaching and playing, see the video below to know his answer:
.@indranildasblah On field tackles or tackling the media, find out how our manager does it on a daily basis. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/sqrpkRMw4A
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) September 8, 2015
.@indranildasblah On field tackles or tackling the media, find out how our manager deals with it all. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/9HKNf4yk2M
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) September 8, 2015
That doesn't mean he is incapable and to justify that he added,
"I know football, how to speak to players and what's good for them and what's not because I've seen so many things and worked under so many managers."
Though he said all of the above, a point he emphasized was that he does not see himself taking up the managerial stint here on.
"In the future I don't see myself as a manager, I just want to enjoy my time. If I do well it's good but just because I do good it won't mean that I will become a manager."
The players and the all others who are part of the franchise seem to have trust in him, and that is exactly why he has been appointed for this role. Talking to IBN Live about how it will benefit, Sunil Chhetri, who will play his first ISL for Mumbai City said:
"Playing alongside Anelka will be nothing short of an experience. He doesn't need me or anyone talking about his stature on the global scene. It's a chance and I will learn a lot from him."
It will definitely be a learning experience for all the youngsters in the team. Well it looks like he has taken the role of being a manager seriously which should be the case. It is evident in the way he talks; ask him how does he see Mumbai in the second season and the answer to it is just like how a manager would:
"We believe we have a strong team and can reach the last four after that we'll target the final and the championship." (to Gulf News)
Since he does not have a great background in managing teams apart from the Chinese side, which was also for a short term, this will be a real test for the Frenchman to show that his managing skills are as good as his playing skills.
Whether he passes the test with flying colours, come October the answer will be out there. In his own words (told to FirstSports),
"Football is not a race, it's a marathon, you'll see in the end what happens."
