Scott Cooper Exclusive: Jamshedpur FC coach on East Bengal, Elsinho and More

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The new Indian Super League season beckons and Jamshedpur FC will travel to Kolkata to meet East Bengal in the very first match of the season.

The Red Miners had a tumultuous last season where they ended up finishing 10th in the season. After a shield-winning campaign just before the last, it was a major blow. And to avoid something similar, they have made a host of changes.

They have roped in many new foreigners and Indian players. Among the new recruitments, Brazilian defensive midfielder Elsinho, Frenchman Jeremy Manzorro, Alen Stevanovic are the big names. And the biggest change of the club has been the arrival of Scott Cooper, the new head coach.

Scott Cooper is a familiar name in Asian football. The Englishman has had stints in the Phillippines, Thailand and has found success there. His very first task will be to face East Bengal in the ISL, and the Jamshedpur FC head coach gave his thoughts ahead of the match.

In an exclusive chat with MyKhel, Cooper elaborated on his vision for Jamshedpur FC and many more things.

Cooper has come to India and was in touch with various clubs for a potential job. The JFC manager said he had talks with some clubs in the past but a move to Jamshedpur materialized this season.

"I had some interest and had a talk with my agent. I came and visited here. I liked what TATA Steel stand for. I came and visited and liked the city. The development and integrity of the football club stuck in accord with me," Cooper said to MyKhel.

Cooper mentions the feeling that he could build and develop a young contingent, more like Premier League club Arsenal was one of the factors which brought him to the ISL club.

Cooper has brought Hezirda Ramadani as his assistant at JFC and has a lot of respect for his number two. Ramadani has been a long-time assistant for Cooper and together the pair expect to turn the fortunes around for Jamshedpur FC.

On young Indian Players

"There are some good young players coming through. Indian players have struck accord because they are hardworking. Communication is also not a problem and we are always looking to improve them," Cooper said.

MyKhel also asked Cooper about the Flatlets, the residential training centre for the first-team players, and the JFC coach was elated about the facilities.

"It reduces travel time. You can be more professional and build a cohesive unit with team spirit. It's important to leave the players during their spare time, but it is advantageous. Our players walk one minute to the training ground, they get physio in 20 seconds, and it is all about how you make use of it. Understanding the advantage of this is the key," Cooper added.

On East Bengal

JFC will be up against East Bengal in their first match of the campaign. But Cooper believes the home side will have the pressure, which may work in favour for them.

"It is a massive club with a massive history. So you have to respect that. It will be nice for us to play there. We expect a tough game. I know Cleiton Silva from his Thailand days. At the end of the day, they are at home and they will have the pressure. Because there is a big expectation in Kolkata, and even I know that. And for us, I am fine with playing the first game away. It is never a bad thing for me," the JFC coach said.

On Elsinho

Jamshedpur FC signed Elsinho, a Brazilian defensive midfielder, who has played for Mexican clubs CD Juarez and Celaya in the past. And Cooper seems to be very confident in his new recruitment.

"Elsinho is a defensive midfielder who can play centre-back as well. He is versatile, athletic, he is good on the ball. He comes with height. He came from a source I knew before. One thing you want from a foreign player is versatility, and he is comfortable both as defensive midfielder and centre-back," Cooper said.

"He scores goals with his head too. There are a lot of advantages to him playing for us. Does he have a massive profile? No! But profiles don't play games, players do," he further said.

Cooper is coming to the club after their dismal performance last season, where they finished 10th in the league table. And the 52-year-old says they will have to formulate a new combination to improve and find their new identity.

"Last season was one of those years when it's hard to explain. You just have to bounce back in the new season. We will have to take a look at the reason for the success (shield win) and the last season. And we have to try and combine with new ideas, and bring out a new template of who we want to be," Cooper concluded.