‘Sisters’, ‘Almeida sir’ and ‘Chitra mam’: Anthony recalls the pillars of his coaching journey after completing the 50th match
Sudeep Pakrashi: His coaching journey never started with the women’s footballers. Even in his earlier days, his desire was not to settle into women’s football coaching. Rather Anthony Andrews’s journey began, guiding the toddlers and youth footballers in Maharashtra, first at PIFA and then Minerva FC academy. The first assignment of guiding women’s footballers came from Gokulam FC. He was asked to join as an assistant to the first-team coach, Priya PV. Today, Anthony Andrews, after completing his 50th match as a coach (on the day East Bengal won against SESA in the ongoing IWL), reveals he did not accept the Gokulam FC offer immediately. He took almost six months for research on women’s football. He spent hours in understanding the physiological and psychological aspects of women. He has seven sisters in his family. Interaction with them since childhood already helped him to understand women’s psychological aspects, the idea about their physical abilities. He spent hours talking to Chitra Gangadharan in Bengaluru to have a thorough idea about the women footballers’ psychology and how to deal with them. He is also indebted to Jeddy Almedia, one of the pioneers in the country’s women’s football development. He got a lot of advices from Almeida sir. Then only he accepted the Gokulam FC offer. Anthony feels his most memorable happenings in the coaching journey so far are Gokulam FC (two IWL titles) and his success with East Bengal (one IWL, the AFC Club Championship qualification and SAFF Club Cup title). But he still remembers his first win as the coach of Gokulam FC. and still dedicates it to his Praveen sir, the top-boss of Gokulam FC. Anthony believes that Praveen was the man who believed in his hard work and effort. Itr was Praveen’s contrbution which guided Anthony to continue coaching women footballers. While explaining the change in the country’s women’s football, the 30-year-old coach feels In the earlier days the women’s footballers the style of women’s football play was not progressive as they tried to depend on kick-and-run. Today, women footballers have also learnt how to take possession, how to dish out a passing game. They have also improved in technique and basic skills gradually. Still, the coach feels that women footballers should be more encouraged financially, especially at a time when in the Fifa-ranking country’s women’s football is at 67th! The 30-year-old coach wants more clubs across the country should come forward to build up women’s team. He also wants the women’s footballers as well as the coaching staff should earn more than their present condition. Anthony feels It is the first time the country’s women’s football have qualified for the women’s Asian Cup in senior, under-20 and under-17. So women’s football should be promoted more.
Interim boss Fletcher to start his coaching journey with Ferguson’s blessing!
Darren Fletcher says he sought the blessing of his former Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson, before taking interim charge at Old Trafford. Fletcher will be in charge of Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley following the removal of coach Ruben Amorim and is likely to remain in the dugout for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie with Brighton. He took the role after speaking to Ferguson, 84, who was at Elland Road for Amorim’s final game in charge, the 1-1 draw at Leeds. “I don’t like to make any major decisions without speaking to Sir Alex,” said the 41-year-old. I have a really good relationship with Sir Alex, so I wanted to speak to him first and ultimately get his blessing, to be perfectly honest with you. I think he deserves that respect. I wanted to run it by him, and he echoed my thoughts. When you’re an employee of the club, it’s your job to do your best for Manchester United. It is something I try to live and believe every day, so it was comforting for me for him to say that,” revealed Fletcher. One of Amorim’s damning observations during his rant at Leeds was his belief that senior officials at Old Trafford pay too much attention to the observations of pundits, chief among them former captain Gary Neville. Fletcher shared a dressing room with most of them and still counts them as friends. “The outside noise is difficult to deal with because those players have won everything. They’ve got success behind them, and they’ve got trophies. It’s hard to criticise them back because they’ve got their medals on the table,” added Fletcher. Fletcher says that a lack of spare time since stepping in means he hasn’t had the chance to speak to his squad individually. Instead, he restricted his conversations to captain Bruno Fernandes and the new senior players. Fletcher has met with Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko this week, having spoken to goalkeeper Senne Lammens last week. Bryan Mbeumo, United’s other major summer signing, has not had a chance to speak to Fletcher as he is at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cameroon.
ISL to start on 14th February with the ‘single-leg’ format; Prize money fixed at Rs 5.82 crore!
The stalemate of the last six months in the Indian Super League (ISL) finally ended with the Sports Ministry, All-India Football Federation, and representatives from 14 ISL clubs meeting in New Delhi. The ISL this season will start from 14th February and will be played in single leg home and away format. Although, Goa and Bengal were two tentative names to be chosen as venues for the ISL, it is learnt that venue has not yet been finalized. It will be selected depending on where the budget can be restrained. “Due to a court dispute, there was a lot of uncertainty about the League, but today the government and AIFF, along with club representatives of all 14 clubs, have decided to start the league again,” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya briefed the reporters on Tuesday. The club representatives were present from all 14 clubs: Mohun Bagan, East Bengal, Mohammaden FC, Inter Kashi FC, Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC, SC Delhi, Bengaluru FC, NorthEast United FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters, and FC Goa. Last week, in an official statement, the AIFF said the Emergency Committee met on 3rd January to consider and acknowledge the report submitted by the AIFF-ISL Coordination Committee. The Coordination Committee was formed on December 20, 2025, after discussions held during the AIFF Executive Committee meeting and the subsequent Annual General Meeting. Earlier, in AIFF’s emergent executive committee meeting, held virtually on Tuesday morning, it was decided that the AIFF would contribute Rs 10.3 crores, amidst the approximate budget of Rs 40 crore, to conduct the League this season. The executive committee also heard an assurance from the Federation’s top brass about finding a ‘new investor’ who could come forward with financial support from the next season. The AIFF top brass also revealed in the meeting that talks are already on with a couple of broadcasting companies, including Doordarshan. Still, the most concerning part is the production and broadcasting of the IUSL this season. The AIFF has reportedly earmarked only Rs 9.77 crore for production and transmission under the lower-cost option. In recent seasons, broadcast and transmission-related expenses reached around Rs 70 crore per season. Such a drastic reduction points to a visible dip in production quality, which could directly affect broadcaster interest and, in turn, sponsorship value. Prize money has been fixed at Rs 5.82 crore, while governance, refereeing, digital marketing and legal expenses account for the remaining outlay. There is no allocation for youth leagues or parachute payments.
Sreebhumi FC ends losing streak; Coach wants consistency in the final phase
After two consecutive defeats, Sreebhumi FC returned to a winning streak with a 3-0 triumph against Garhwal United in the IWL at Kalyani Stadium on Tuesday morning. The match was delayed for almost an hour due to heavy fog. Toijam Chanu drew first blood for the winners in the 56th minute, while Anju Kayenpoibam doubled the lead in the 79th minute, and Anju Tamang struck the third one in the 91st minute. Sreebhumi FC fielded their first foreign defender from Ghana in the match. She did not frustrate the management in her debut, although the coach Sujata Kar said, “She has just arrived. Naturally, she will take time to settle. I am expecting she will be able to deliver her best in the second phase of the League.” The club management has reportedly planned to rope in a foreign striker and midfielder for their campaign in the second phase of the League. The team’s coach, however, revealed, “We have a quality forward line. So I do not need a foreign striker. Till now, I am happy with the Ghanaian defender.” When asked about the team’s performance in the first phase, Kar asserted, “I am not much bothered about our show in the first phase. Rather, I am eying the second and final phase. We need to take off with a consistent show there to win the title.” Sreebhumi, now in fourth spot with nine points from five matches, appears determined to secure three points with a win against NITA FA in their next crucial group league match. Sreebhumi is currently fourth in the table; gaining three points would bring their total to twelve, which could move them into the top three by the end of the first phase, depending on other results. Considering the importance of the match, the team’s Technical Director, Shukla Dutta, feels, “NITA has been consistent so far in the League, and their India international, Pyari Xaxa, has scored in all of their matches so far. So, I feel, she is the key player to be noticed,” said Dutta. The coach, however, explained, “They have been consistent. Still, performance varies in every match. So, I should not be specific that NITA will be able to carry out the same performance as they did in the previous match. I will see their Tuesday’s match and then only design our plan and assess who among them can be the key player against us.” Due to the Indian women’s team’s participation in the under-20 and senior Asian Cup Women’s championship, IWL will take a two-month break and resume on 20th April. Sreebhumi FC will have to release 11 footballers for the under-20 and senior Indian women’s preparatory camp.
Manchester United removes Ruben Amorim from the coach’s post!
The rumours were already there for the last couple of months, and Manchester United has sacked its Portuguese coach, Ruben Amorim, after his stint with the team for only 14 months. Manchester United are presently languishing in sixth position in the Premier League table. The club, in its statement, has revealed that Ruben Amorim has departed his role as head coach of Manchester United. Ruben was appointed in November 2024 and led the team to a UEFA Europa League Final in Bilbao in May. With Manchester United sitting sixth in the Premier League, the club’s leadership has reluctantly decided that it is the right time to make a change. This will give the team the best opportunity of the highest possible Premier League finish. The club would like to thank Ruben for his contribution to the club and wishes him well for the future. Darren Fletcher will take charge of the team against Burnley on Wednesday. Ruben Amorim has also been expressing his displeasure over the club administration’s interference. After United’s 1-1 draw with Leeds on Sunday, Amorim challenged the club’s hierarchy, saying in his post-match press conference: “I just want to say I came here to be the manager, not to be the coach. “In every department – the scouting department, the sporting director – [they] need to do their job. I will do mine for 18 months, and then we move on. “I just want to say that I’m going to be the manager of this team, not just the coach. I was really clear on that. That is going to finish in 18 months, and then everyone is going to move on. That was the deal. That is my job. Not to be a coach.” Manchester United are sixth in the Premier League after 20 matches following their 1-1 draw at Leeds on Sunday afternoon. That result means Ruben Amorim’s side has now won only one of their last five in the competition – and just three of their past 11. Amorim oversaw 63 games as Manchester United manager – but failed to win more than half of those matches. He departs the club with a record of 24 wins, 18 draws, and 21 losses, for a win percentage of 38.1%. United suffered their worst Premier League season last campaign, finishing 15th with their lowest points tally in a top-flight season since 1973–74, when they were relegated. Amorim also floated the idea that United have become too sensitive to outside criticism, naming Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United player Gary Neville. “If people cannot handle the Gary Nevilles and the criticisms of everything, we need to change the club,” he said.
Spanish defender Tiri parts ways with Mumbai City FC
Experienced Spanish defender Tiri and Mumbai City FC have parted ways, the ISL club confirmed on Monday. He is only the second international player to make 150 appearances in the competition. “A true professional on and off the pitch, Tiri’s journey with the Club has been marked by resilience, leadership, and unforgettable moments. From battling it out on the continental stage in the AFC Champions League to lifting the Indian Super League Cup in the 2023/24 season, his contributions will always hold a special place in our story,” a statement from the club read. The 34-year-old had signed a one-year extension with the club last June, with the 2025-26 edition of the ISL set to be his 10th in the league, the most by any foreign player. Tiri began his football career with his hometown side, Cadiz CF, competing in the Spanish divisions. He later moved to Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, where he spent three years playing for their B team. Tiri initially joined Mumbai City in the 2023–24 season and has since made 49 appearances for the club. He has also featured for Atletico de Kolkata, Jamshedpur FC, and ATK Mohun Bagan.
AIFF disappointed with a few ‘clubs’ intrigues! Clubs to be relegated to lower division on refusal!
Sudeep Pakrashi: The All India Football Federation-appointed three-man committee, which has taken the initiative for the resumption of the stagnated ISL this season, offering them proposals in more than a couple of meetings since last week, is extremely disappointed with a few clubs’ intrigue to extend the delay so that ISL does not resume this season! In reply to AIFF Deputy General Secretary Satyanarayan’s letter to the clubs, seeking their confirmation about the participation in the League, Sporting Club Delhi sent a reply email, mentioning that on behalf of all the 13 clubs, they seek clarification on five specific points before confirming the participation in the ISL this season. Among the five specific clarifications, the reply emphasized the AIFF’s financial contribution to the League, as it is their property. Secondly, the reply email pointed out that there was no participation fee to be paid to the AIFF in the League, and the third point, mentioned in the reply, was the requirement of government support, which could minimize the participating clubs’ expenditure to stage their respective home matches. It is believed that AIFF is ready to reveal its financial contribution to the League along with the clubs. Even if the Federation seems willing to break its Fixed Deposit and contribute to the League. But only after the clubs confirm their participation in the League, as two centralized venues have been initially decided to stage the league this season. More significantly, even though Sporting Delhi FC’s reply-email was sent, mentioning on behalf of all 13 clubs, it is learnt that at least eight among the 13 clubs, including NorthEast United FC, Inter Kashi, FC Goa, do not agree with Sporting Club Delhi FC’s reply-email and they want to take part in the League along with Jamshedpur FC who already have expressed willingness to participate in the League in a new model this season. One of the top AIFF officials, when asked about the issue, revealed on condition of anonymity, “Only a few, four to five clubs are making this plotting game. They do not want the ISL to be resumed. The AIFF has been criticized constantly throughout the whole episode. But we have created a platform for them through a model where ISL can be resumed. AIFF is ready to announce its financial contribution. But unless the confirmation about participation is there, we cannot reveal.” At the same time, AIFF has also initiated the primary discussions with the state governments, where two centralised venues have been proposed. AIFF seems optimistic about the respective state governments’ co-operation by providing stadiums, free of cost, and a few other logistical supports. It is learnt that the three-man committee, in its report, submitted to the AIFF top brass after observations and recommendations, has mentrioned AIFF should bear the cost of refereeing and broadcast production, while Clubs should organise home matches as they had done in previous editions. Secondly, the AIFF should levy a participation fee of ₹1 crore per Club. The commencement date of the ISL will be announced as early as possible. The AIFF should finalise the short-term competition format in consultation with the Clubs, and in the absence of consensus, the league owner is to finalise the format without permitting further delay or digression. Any Club refusing to participate should be disqualified and relegated to the immediate lower division. The league commencement date should be declared without any further delay. The Committee also presents, apart from the above modality, another proposal listed below after the conclusion, in the interest of kick-starting the 2025-26 league as early as possible.
After Luna, Noah Sadaoui leaves Kerala Blasters, also due to uncertainty over the ISL
After the team’s captain, Adrian Luna, Moroccan winger Noah Sadaoui has also left Kerala Blasters due to the ongoing uncertainty over the resumption of the ISL this year. It is believed that a premier Indonesian club has roped in the 32-year-old striker for the current season. Noah joined KBFC from FC Goa in 2024. He played 19 matches across all competitions for the Blasters and scored seven goals. FC Goa captain Borja Herrera left the club last week, saying that the situation made it ‘untenable’ for him to stay within Indian football. Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC has parted ways with both striker Edgar Mendez and manager Gerard Zaragoza during the delay in the season. At the same time, Odisha FC has also split with manager Sergio Lobera. Chennaiyin FC competed in the AIFF Super Cup 2025 without any overseas players despite having two players, Daniel Chima Chukwu and Elsinho in its books. We would like to thank Noah for two special seasons as he heads abroad on loan for the remainder of the 2025–26 season, as posted by Kerala Blasters on their social media account.
Players appeal to FIFA to step in and save Indian football!
A group of country’s leading footballers have released a video titled ‘Save Indian Football’, highlighting the miserable state of the sport in the country at the moment. Significantly, through their video that has already gone viral, the footballers have also made appeal to the world football’s ruling body FIFA and the association of world footballers’ association, FIPRPO, requesting their intervention to save Indian football from its present deplorable condition. The ISL, which ideally should have begun last September, is yet to kick off due to the lack of a commercial partner for the league. “It’s January, and we should be on your screens as part of a competitive football game in the Indian Super League. Instead, here we are driven by fear and desperation to say aloud something that we all know. But more importantly, we are here to make a plea. The Indian football government can no longer fulfill its responsibilities. “We are now staring at permanent paralysis. This is a last-ditch effort to save what we can. So, we are calling FIFA to step in and do what it takes to save Indian football. We hope this message gets to the powers that are in Zurich. “This call is not political. It is not driven by confrontation, but by necessity. It might sound like a big word, but the truth is that we are facing a humanitarian, economic, and sporting crisis. Of course, we need rescuing at the earliest. “Players, staff, owners, and fans deserve clarity, protection, and, more importantly, a future. We just want to play football, please help us do it,” said the video, which features Sunil Chhetri, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Suresh Singh Wangjam, and Amrinder Singh among Indian footballers, while Carlos Delgado, Hugo Bumous, and Michel Zabaco are the overseas players who have spoken out. The letter sent to the AIFF-appointed three-man committee on behalf of the clubs has stated that the AIFF should take up the financial responsibility for organizing the league in the absence of a commercial partner. The clubs said they are open to a meeting on January 3 to follow up on the matter.
Uncertainty over ISL future: Luna released by Blasters on loan!
It is the reflection of uncertainty over the ISL. Kerala Blasters has confirmed that it is releasing the team’s captain and one of the League’s most prominent strikers, Adrina Luna, on loan to an overseas club for the 2025-26 season! Blasters shared the news through a social media post where it confirmed that it was a mutually agreed arrangement between the player and the club. However, the ISL side didn’t confirm which team the Uruguayan midfielder will be joining. Luna joined Blasters in 2021 and has made 71 appearances across all competitions, scoring 15 goals. The ISL season, which typically begins in September, has been deferred, as the business model is still uncertain, following the expiry of the Master Rights Agreement (MRA) between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited. The uncertainty over the resumption of the League in the last few months has compelled a few high-profile exits, with FC Goa captain Borja Herrera leaving the club, saying that the situation made it ‘untenable’ for him to stay within Indian football. Bengaluru FC, meanwhile, has parted ways with both striker Edgar Mendez and manager Gerard Zaragoza during the delay in the season, while Odisha FC has parted with manager Sergio Lobera.
