Philippe Troussier wants to do something for Indian football if he is approached by the All India Football Federation (AIFF). The 54-year-old Frenchman coached South Africa and Japan in the 1998 and 2002 World Cup finals, respectively, and was adjudged Asia’s best in 2002. He has a very good relationship with Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa, whom he wanted to take as his assistant when he was approached by Football Federation Australia. The body eventually appointed Dutchman Pim Verbeek, while Troussier now works as a consultant for a J-League club. Bencherifa wants to bring Troussier to India to conduct a few coaches’ seminars. The ball is now in the AIFF’s court.

In an e-mail interview with The Indian Express, Troussier shared his thoughts on how to improve Indian football. Excerpts:

Q: What’s your idea about Indian football?
Unfortunately, I don’t know Indian football very well. I have come to know through my friend Karim that Indian football is improving and in the years to come, will be stronger. I remember in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, when I was in charge of the Under-21 Japan team, we played a match against India. I don’t exactly remember the result but we won the match. I think Indian football has progressed since then.

A coach of your repute who has constantly been on the world stage… what are the ways you can help Indian football?
I see two aspects. As an adviser and a football expert I can share my experience with the Indian coaches and officials. I will tell them about my experience on the field, about match strategies, about coaching as a whole and about the psychological aspects of the game. This can be done through seminars and conferences, debate and discussions. And also through video sessions and on-the-field activities. I can also share my views with the football officials about setting up a structure that will cover the states and help spot talent from the grassroots. Clubs and academies play key roles in nurturing talents. Competitions at the age-group levels and the senior level have to be in sync. I can also put in place a strategy to select youngsters at Under-14, U-15, U-16 and U-17 levels. For India to become a force in world football, this set-up has to start as soon as possible to prepare for the Asian U-17 and U-19 Championships and also for the preparations for the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.

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