Brazilian superstar Zico, often referred to as the ‘White Pelé’, was not only a fantastic player, but he has become a respected and a successful professional coach. Having coached in Iran, Japan and Brazil, more recently he has become an idol in India’s Goa.
His adventure in the Indian Super League with Goa is the story of bringing a team from the bottom of the table, to a near title win, just one point behind first place. Zico spoke to Ricardo Setyon about his travels in India and why he can’t wait to get back.
IWF – How has your experience in India and at the start of this league been? Is it what you expected?
Zico – “Excellent. A first step, and I am part of it. A country with one bIllion people but one where the main sport on earth, is not the number one here. That motivated me. This project has been being designed for three years. Just a few days ago, I saw some stats. For example I was impressed to see that just after a month of the Indian Super League (ISL), they broke all World Cup TV ratings records. Secondly I understand it became the sixth league in attendance in the whole world. That is an achievement.
“The ISL brought together many football cultures.Italians, Dutch, French, English, Spanish. There were no Brazilians! I brought something from Brazil. A team of professionals that changed something.
“Anyhow, this league is a reality: by bringing people of the cricket world, they all showed there was space in Indian culture to something beyond Cricket…without taking space from Cricket. Now it is over, and some evaluation is needed, to correct the mistakes and enhance the good things.
“And yes: it was all what I expected. There was media. Media means people. And people are fans, and fans are a guarantee of success!”
Is it comparable to Japan’s development?
“Many people try to compare the success here with what happened in Japan.
“But I said no: Japan had no national league, as there is one in India. Japan had no league and had a complete agreement to start a process.
“In India, this is not happening. And In India, those teams were created from nothing. Players from various clubs from the National League. Some players came from various clubs to play in one team of the ISL. Some clubs did not allow their players to pay the ISL. Goa has 4 teams, and used a fifth temporary team to play the ISL.
“India must think hard about how to organise this cooperation among clubs, for a common goal.
“In Japan it happened: all were together. In India it seems there are strong divisions between team and leagues.
“But this opportunity is amazing.”
Overseas interest
“Brazil was not present, and IMG , the owner of the ISL, were not very keen to open the league to Brazil. IMG seemed not interested to show the ISL to Brazilian TV. While for Europe , they did open tv rights. It seems IMG is dealing with Europe only.
“Andre Santos only played in India, because he played for Arsenal.
“Another thing is that teams have to accept the players IMG owns and decided where they will play. Clubs should be allowed to chose their players, and not just accept what IMG decided where the players would join.
“In my opinion, India must enhance the atmosphere created by ISl. They must use the atmosphere that ISL brought.”
The future?
“There must be more academies created.
“An identity was created with those teams of ISL. Now it is time to have a calendar of events. Every month there must be a series of events linked to football and that sustain that identity of the fans towards the clubs.
“The clubs are a bit scared, as the result of popularity was overwhelming!
“Now they have to deal with it. And that demands a structure. People that are specialists and an infrastructure.
“It would be a shame that having created this momentum, this success and enthusiasm, that is should simply fade away.”
The Goa experience
“I was lucky with Goa, as this is a small place in India, and we have reached a very good stage, we showed a good football, and never had bad results.
“We had problems throughout the season, and I had support from my presidents in Goa.
“We were strong mentally, when we spent some weeks in the bottom of the league.
“And at the end, with the will of the players, the good work of the technical group, the support of the fans and the dedication of everyone, we reached second place at the end of the league, one point only, behind the first place.
“The ISL management brought some players that were in no condition to play. Simply not in shape and no capacity to be on a pitch,in a game for more than 10 minutes.
“That was a serious mistake that created big problems to everyone.
“We had to work twice as hard, to reinstate a decent atmosphere , and start playing decent football. This is unacceptable.
“It was a serious mistake by the ISL management. They must bring players that can play. Not famous names, that are not able to even walk on the pitch….
“Thanks to André Santos, and some young Indian players who were vital for my team, Goa, we reached second place, and were considered to be favorites for the title….
“And that after many weeks, in the last three positions of the championship.”
What next?
“My vision on India, after so many trips, seeing stadia and fans all over the country, is that so much needs to be done.
“TV, clubs, stars and fans, are important. But India should and must work on its infrastructure for football, and have professionals working in all other areas.
“This (India) is a phenomenon, definitely. But because of wrong players, and absurd refereeing, results were strange at the end, and influenced the final standings.
“India made a step, a giant one, to enter the club of the top 50 countries in football in the next 10 years.
“The passion of people is impressive! The love for football exists in india, in a way many would not believe!
“If India sorts out that balance with the existing clubs of the National League and the ISL clubs, they will lose an amazing opportunity.”
Local players
“It seems that not real steps were done to develop Indian Football in its grassroots. Too many foreigners. You cannot have 12 foreigners in each club!
“You cannot bring foreigners that are not even fit to stay on the substitute bench.
“Foreigners are important. But foreigners that come with an approach of leaving an example.
“Foreigners that can add to the show and teach.
“Look at Elano. He was the top goal scorer in the league.
“He created an awareness, an example of how local players should behave. The Spaniards at Atletico Kolkata also were excellent in giving a good example.
“Legacy is an issue, in my opinion.
“People in the Indian Super League seemed very much more worried about winning, than in creating a legacy.
“Profit and fame will not develop Indian football.
“Professionals, technique development, legacy specialists, and experts in football business, will develop India as football country
“The rules, created a situation, where the most important people in this league, the INDIAN PLAYERS, were not protected. They were nor developed. And that is a pity!!!”
Partners
“Brazil must be more active in India. The BRICS structure must contemplate also football development! Of the 6 BRICS countries, 3 hosted or will host World Cups! And we cannot have India so much behind in football.
“This is a global multimillion industry! India cannot be left behind! Just awarding the Under 17 World Cup will not change the scenario!
“Passion and football acknowledgment, by the fans and media, India has in enormous quantities.
“It is the professionalism and infrastructure that must be considered.
“Money is not an issue. Technical development and management are the key factors.”
Development
“I am sure, that with the right approach and the right people, professionals of a high level, India can bring a new revolution in football.
“I would come back without thinking twice, to India, if conditions were to be improved. I , definitely, can say, that after 5 months there, I believe strongly tat India can be the next miracle in football.
“I have seen young players with talent that really impressed me.
“I wish I could help in a more substantial way, the football in India in a more global, national way.
“As I did in Iraq, in Japan. India has something amazing: keen to learn and good heart, with impressive physical condition. A place to bet on the future, surely.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1735325722labto1735325722ofdlr1735325722owedi1735325722sni@n1735325722oytes1735325722.odra1735325722cir1735325722
