Exclusive Interview With Indian National Coach Bob Houghton Part - 2

The Vedic literatures encourage the inquisitive soul to enquire from a ‘tattva darsinah’ or one who has seen the truth. Such a process is always better than trying to realise or experience it yourself as it saves time!

As one of my favourite bands, Red Hot Chili Peppers sing in ‘Desecration Smile’: I’ve seen it all through someone else.

I continued on my journey to understand the vision for Indian football.

India won the gold medal at the 1951 and 1962 Asian Games and also reached the semi-finals of the esteemed tournament twice. However in the last fifty years or so, India hasn’t been able to pose a strong challenge amongst the elite in Asia. What is it that differentiates India from the other Asian powerhouses? 


“You can’t compare China to India. Nearly all the clubs there have their own training grounds -- seven to eight of them -- restaurants, swimming pools and much more.

“When I first went to Al Itihaad of Saudi Arabia, I took a five member support staff with me which includes our technical director Colin Toal and the current coach of Sweden national team. 

“When our boys went there, they were gobsmacked. They had 10 pitches, medical centers and everything. That’s just one club in Jeddah. Fifteen minutes from Al Itihaad is another club – Al Ahli with exactly the same facilities. 

“Just like for education, you need good teachers and a good school, you need good coaches and good facilities to develop good players.” 


The current crop of players in the national squad are the cream of Indian football and none would wish to argue with the former Fulham midfielder given the kind of success he has had with them; something which wasn’t achieved for a long time. The players have stated in the past that Houghton never pressurises them to win and instead asks them to enjoy the game. Moderation is always difficult to find and is considered one of the most treasured qualities in an individual. ‘Moderation is commonly firm, and firmness is commonly successful’ writes Samuel Johnson. 

“I remember when someone asked Steve Waugh, what’s the most important mantra for success he answered: When you win, don’t be too high and when the bad times come, don’t be too low and remember what you can do.” 

Houghton’s contribution to football in Sweden has been enormous and is considered one of the primary schemers of the development of the game in the country, who have now become a major power in world football with one of the most expensive players – Zlatan Ibrahimovic hailing from the same region where the Englishman coached. Does he have the same free hand to change things in India? 

“When I went to Malmo, they had finished sixth in the previous season. Football in Sweden was played in the German style. In my first year, we won the league title with a difference of 13 points. The brand of football we played was so different and noticeable that everyone was wondering what’s happened. 

“The following season, we won the title again; this time with 11 points. Roy Hodgson took Halmstad, who had just avoided relegation, to the title in his first season. Then Sven Goran Eriksson did the same with IFK Goteborg.”

“There was a lot of debate about how the game should be played back then. It was during the period of 1974-1980 that Swedish football changed. We played the European finals with all the local boys in a country who had no success in the 60’s and the 70’s. 

“The change in Sweden was more about the footballing side whereas in India, you need an infrastructural one.”


Our discussion comes back to Indian football and youth is where the future lies. Houghton expressed his fear for the youngsters who graduate from the U-17’s and U-19’s and go into oblivion. 

“Once players leave the U-19 team or the academies, they disappear. Last year, 14 players joined East Bengal and Mohun Bagan. Now I don’t see them. After training and playing regularly with the U-19, these players don’t make it into the first team. After one or two seasons, you lose these players. 

“Gouramangi was our U-17 captain and when we sat to choose our Olympic team, we were wondering where the player has gone. Colin played him and asked me to take him. He played in the Nehru Cup and all clubs wanted him.”

Three years back, the I-League was launched with ten teams participating and four foreign players allowed per team, with only three being allowed to be on the pitch at one time. The following season, the number of foreign players had been reduced to three. However, this season the story has been different with a provision to have five foreign players provided thanks to the AFC ‘3+1’ rule and PIO options. 


“We have taken a step backwards with five foreign players. When the I-League began we had ten teams, which means 110 players. If you remove the goalkeepers and three foreigners from each team, you have only 70 Indian players. 

“Now you have 14 teams, and if you take the five foreigners and goalkeepers out of the equation, once again you have only 70 players playing in the I-League!”

But he added that the presence of foreign players in India is also a boon as every week, the Indian defenders come up against the physical and quality players from Africa and South America. 

“First, it makes you aware of the size difference. The defenders come up against difficult opposition every week which is good.” 

Houghton, who at the age of 32 took Malmo into the European finals where they lost to Nottingham Forest and could have become the youngest coach to do so had we won, believes that there can’t be anything better for India if they can follow the J-League blueprint. 

“When J-League began in 1993, they asked the clubs to concentrate on bringing on bigger, taller players. It’s amazing when you see that Japanese national team has tall players. If we can copy what the J-League did, it’s fantastic.” 


Late Sir Bobby Robson holds a special place in English football as both the most successful national team manager since World Cup-winning Sir Alf Ramsey, and its most successful coaching export at club level. Houghton worked as an assistant to Robson at Ipswich Town back in the early 70’s.

“Not many know that Sir Bobby was a Fulham player and coached them as well. I got well with him and we were together at Ipswich Town. I have known him since he was also a very good friend of my father. 

“He also came and stayed with me in Gothenburg. Most importantly, he was a down-to-earth person. It was nice to see the recognition he got when he died.” 

Back to the Indian national team’s success in the last three years. Previously, Indian football would be synonymous with just two words – Bhaichung Bhutia. Now, things are changing and the popularity of the players has gone up as well. 

“People recognise the national team. At Cooperage, the announcer mentions International N.P.Pradeep or International Sunil Chhetri. When I came back from Thailand, a month after the Nehru Cup win, two huge guys at the security of the Taj Palace said: Hey coach, your goalkeeper, wonderful save! Great win! 

“People follow the national team and the popularity of the players translates to the I-League.” 

I hope the same.

Rahul Bali.