Who is Khalid Jamil, the new India men's football team manager?
Khalid Jamil, appointed as the new head coach of the Indian men's football team on August 1, 2025, brings with him decades of experience and a deep understanding of the domestic game.
Born in Kuwait City on April 21, 1977 to Punjabi parents, Jamil's early love for football was shaped by an under-14 camp where he met French legend Michel Platini. .
After moving to India, Jamil turned down early offers from clubs like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan due to sponsorship reasons. He began his playing career with Mahindra United and later turned out for Air India and Mumbai FC.
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As a midfielder, he earned 40 international caps for India between 1998 and 2006 before injuries forced him to retire in 2009.
Khalid Jamil (in white) of India clears the ball ahead of Jordao of West Brom during the Pre-Season Friendly match at The Hawthorns, in Birmingham, England (Image Credit: Shaun Botterill/Allsport)
Jamil's true impact, however, has been as a manager. Starting with Mumbai FC in 2009, he built a reputation for doing more with less. Over seven seasons, he kept the club competitive in the I-League despite limited resources.
His biggest achievement came with Aizawl FC in the 2016/17 season, when he guided the underdog club to a historic I-League title , which was also the first ever by a team from Northeast India. The triumph made his name even more popular and showcased his ability to build winning teams.
Stints with East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, and NorthEast United followed. In the 2020/21 season, he became the first Indian coach to guide a team to the ISL playoffs, leading NorthEast on a 10-match unbeaten run. Later, he was also named as the league's first permanent Indian head coach with the same club.
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Do you believe that appointing an Indian coach for the national team is a step forward for Indian football?
Yes, it shows trust in Indian managers
No, we need international experience
Jamil has also coached Bengaluru United, Nepal's Chitwan FC, and Jamshedpur FC, with valuable experience across various levels.
With Jamshedpur, he led the side to a Super Cup semi-final in 2024.
Now at the helm of the Indian national team and the first Indian to take on the role since 2012 , the 48-year-old brings a grounded, hard-working, and tactical approach. Known for his deep tactical understanding and ability to connect with players, his appointment shows India's attitude in putting trust in Indian managers and a step forward in shaping the next phase of Indian football.
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