IndianFootball.Com Interview: DAVID BOOTH (MAHINDRA UNITED COACH)

Englishman David Booth is coach at Mumbai's No.1 club - Mahindra United. Only weeks after joining the Jeepmen, the team won their first-ever Federation Cup title, which is India's most important knockout tournament.
First of all we from indianfootball.com would like to congratulate you and your team on winning the Federation Cup with Mahindra United!

How did you come to India?

By Areoplane! Through my agent at STRATA who were in negotiation with Mahindra United.

Did you know anything about Indian football, before coming to India?

Yes. I knew little but i admit only a little.

Where have you worked before coming to India?

Before India I worked in Myanmar (Burma) as national coach for 3 years and before that I was national coach in Brunei for nearly 5 years and before that 5 years in Ghana and also in England until going abroad into Ghana in 1990. I also had a spell in Ghana again before Myanmar after leaving Brunei.

You have been in India now for a few weeks having seen Mumbai Elite league and Federation Cup action. Your experiences so far in India/liking it?

I like it as we have been winners after we lose a few ask me again...

You have seen India's top clubs at the Federation Cup. How do you rate India's club football compared to elsewhere in Asia where you have worked?

Its too early to form a definite opinion i have to see when serious football starts in the NFL.

How do you rate your players? Would you single out a player as having exceptional talent?

My players are working hard and understand the need to do so. We are not special so it is important we know this so we know what we have to do to achieve any success. We surely can.
No outstanding individuals only team effort.

Has any Indian player not from your team impressed you with his performances?

Yes i have been impressed by several players but particularly East Bengal in their outside competition. They really set a standard for the rest to follow. I feel sorry for their players in the Federation Cup it was one came too many for them.

How you you see your teams chances in the National League?

If we are lucky and work and play in a good manner our chances are equal to the rest.

Mahindra is said to be working on organising a tour to Singapore or somewhere else in southeast Asia ahead of the National League. Do you think it will happen?

Its true about going to play outside. It really depends on the committment of Management and officials to give Mahindra a chance to be a strong team in India. If they nod of this intention it can only help to benefit players and the clubs name outside India. It also needs the backing and support of the AIFF.

Mumbai sadly doesn't have a proper football stadium but what do you think about the facilities Mahindra is offering to you and your team?

Our training facilities are reasonable, our training ground is very good so in all our facilities are very adequate and our teams housing facilities are also good. So in all the players can have no complaint regarding ground ir accomodation or kit.

Where do you think Indian football can improve?

It is not for me to tell Indian football how to improve as there are people in a better position to comment on this and to improve the standards. If I improve Mahindra United I therefore feel I am doing a little for Indian Football.

Our thanks goes out to David Booth and Mahindra United manager Henry Menezes for making this interview possible!

the interview was done by Arunava Chaudhuri per eMail (August 2003)

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