Derrick Pereira just returned from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, having successfully completed the AFC Pro-License Coaching Certificate. His current tenure with Mahindra United has already proved successful, with success in the Federation Cup and the MDFA Elite Preliminary League. Now his team embarks on their Durand Cup campaign, following which their holy grail of the National Football League, and also the AFC Cup, take place.
IndianFootball.Com's Sujay Sharma had an extensive question-answer session with the successful young coach.

Firstly questions regarding Mahindra United. You have signed a one-year contract with Mahindra United until the end of this campaign, with an option for another year. With the success achieved by your team so far, have you given any thoughts to extending your contract?

No, I've not thought on those lines at all. I'm just doing my job to my best, and I'm getting good support from all parties concerned. Whatever options come my way in the future, I'll take it.

Your self-assessment in this role as Mahindra United coach?

I'm never completely satisfied. I keep thinking of improving all the time, both the team and my methods. For example, the chaotic situation with the grounds due to the rains in Mumbai, and it affecting the Mumbai league schedule and our training. Then I had to constantly work and think on the different training aspects like technical and physical, and how to optimize the situation. I was never content.

Physical fitness of the players, when you took charge, was the first aspect you had set down as something that was key and you were going to work on. But with the entire hectic schedule, and with quite a few injuries at all times, what would you comment on this?

I could not work on their fitness as I thought I wanted. I started the regime, but the rescheduling due to rain began to affect my plans. It is still not up to the mark I want, and so definitely we will continue to improve and work on it.

The current Durand Cup squad consists mainly of players acquired this year. Your team has been successful despite the virtual overhaul of players. So do you think the team has gelled as well and as quickly as you had expected?

I would say there is still scope for improvement in the team gelling as a unit. The more time we spend together as a squad and in training and in matches, the better we will gel.

Have you been satisfied and impressed with the amount of team spirit and togetherness shown by the squad?

Yes, absolutely! This team spirit and togetherness is the main reason for our successes so far, both in the Federation Cup and the MDFA League. And our players come from all over the country. We have a real mix.

The last time seven Mahindra players went to Pakistan. This time there are eight. How does this reflect on the squad and its strength, and how do you see this situation?

Most of the players who played in the Federation Cup have made it this time in the National squad. It's advantageous as it shows the strength of our squad that we have so many top players. Of course it is also a disadvantage to lose them. But it gives the other players an opportunity to perform.

What do you think has been the difference from last year in the players accepting and dealing and performing with the weight of expectation?

I won't compare with last year, as I wasn't here and don't know about the scenario. All I can say is that yes, this year they are doing well.

What have you made of the support and awareness for the team and the club by the general public and the media, both locally and nationally?

We were happy with a lot of support in Goa, during and after the Fed Cup. We all have been receiving lots of calls and SMSes. The television broadcasters are profiling many of our players.

After the Durand Cup and before the NFL, would you like friendlies arranged against foreign teams?

Yes, if it is possible. I would love the opportunity.

Have you settled on a preferred system of play?

We play a 4-man 'block' defence, and 4 midfielders. But before the NFL I may try something like a midfield diamond or maybe even a 4-3-3.

Are you content in the execution of your strategies on the pitch by the players? Have the players taken in your style and method?

They are good pros, and they are doing it well. If we had more time, they will do it better.

You have shown a lot of willingness to experiment with players playing in different positions, both in local league and the Fed Cup. What have you learnt from these experiments?

It shows that we've got utility players who can play anywhere when required. It has proved crucial also, for example in the final I asked Rauf to play in midfield towards the end, and we won after that. Surkumar has played central defender in the local league; Deepak has played as fullback and holding midfielder; Anees wide midfield or in attack; and Sushanth has covered in right back.

Moving on to the Indian footballing scene. How do you find the competition and the standard in the domestic game this year?

There are only 4 to 5 teams that have high-level players. But the rest need to pull up their socks. To have a good national league you need good competition.

Crowds have been relatively disappointing all over the country, be it the Federation Cup in Goa, the Santosh Trophy in Kerala, or IFA Shield in Kolkata. Are sufficient steps being taken to address this? What could be the reason, and what suggestions do you have?

No sufficient steps are being taken to draw in the crowds. It's up to the federations and the clubs to work out concrete ways to do this. Floodlights and infrastructure are very important. People need entertainment. Attractive football needs to be played, and teams could be given incentives to do it. Also, security at the stadiums should be heightened, so that the entire family can enjoy.

Do you agree that Bengal football is on the slide, and that Goa, Northeast, and Mumbai are on the up? Why / Why not?

Yes, I agree. The key is youth development. In Goa and in the Northeast they have taken this task very seriously. I hardly see players coming through in Bengal. This time the Bengal Santosh Trophy team had quite a few outside players.

Teams from Goa and Maharashtra dominated both the Federation Cup and the Santosh Trophy. You thoughts on this, being a Goan working in Maharashtra?

The cause for this is - Organisation. When there is good professional style organization, you get better results, and you move forward. That has happened in Goa, and to some extent in Maharashtra.

What are your hopes for India in the upcoming SAFF Cup?

India has a good side for the SAFF Cup. Very good, in fact. Bhutia's presence should be a positive impact on the players. They should do well, and that of course means winning it.

What do you have to say on India's striking problems? For example even in this squad, Bhutia and Hakkim are our only two genuine strikers.

We need to give our strikers more exposure. But it is important that this exposure is at one level above ours. No point getting thrashed by European teams. I'm talking about teams like Malaysia, Thailand, and others at a slightly higher level. That will improve everything. We need our players' attitude to change. We hardly have any top-quality strikers. Players need to be encouraged to take risk if they have the potential, rather than sit contented in their jobs. They need to come out and test themselves.

What about India's talent base?

It's huge. Our players have good skill and technique. But we lack many other things.

What are your suggestions for grass roots and youth development?

Many many things are needed. Good coach-education, good diet for the players, good infrastructure. We should forget matching ourselves with Europe, we should at least attain for and reach the top Asian level first.

The Bayern II success in the IFA Shield was pretty emphatic. That, despite them being a young team and a third division team. You expected it, having experienced the professional approach in Germany?

Why German third division? Even in the Malaysian second division, the teams have a professional set-up involving assistant coaches, dieticians, multiple training pitches, plus other facilities. So a European side, with a systematic set-up, would obviously be expected to win.

Now, to some personal questions. There's been a lot of traveling involved ever since you took up this job. You've been going to Goa, Malaysia, Germany. Now the NFL and AFC Cup are coming up. How do you deal with it all?

Having been a former footballer, I'm used to it. Ever since I started playing for Salgaocars SC, I've been used to all this hustle-bustle of a footballer's life. I am a professional, and this is part and parcel of it. So I just accept it.

But still, how do you relax? Are you able to relax?

I try my best to relax when possible. I try to be with my family, as they are my only relaxation. When I'm in Mumbai, I try to get them here. Of course, the good performance of the team also gives me relaxation.

You've just finished the AFC Pro-license Course. What do you have to say on it?

I have learned many things that I have been implementing. Some issues in the course included ways of dealing with professional players, stress management, soccer-specific conditioning, psychological preparation of the team, how to deal with the media, etc.

Finally, some questions related to the upcoming Durand Cup. How have the national call-ups and injuries affected your preparation for the Durand Cup? How have you dealt with them?

It's an advantage in a way as we are trying out our bench-strength. Also, we've got many good young players who will get an opportunity, and that is a positive too. Definitely our stars will be missed.

Did you think your absence by the AFC Course would in any way have affected the pre-tournament preparation?

More than my absence, I think the Santosh Trophy has affected our preparation. Our players played for so many different states. Most have them have just returned. Also, assistants Arshad Hussain and Santosh Kashyap kept working with the remaining players. The results will show in the Durand Cup.

Would you have rather prepared for NFL straight after Fed Cup, instead of participation in the Durand Cup?

No, not at all. I would have definitely wanted to play the Durand Cup, no matter what our squad. It will give me the opportunity to expose the entire squad to match-situation, including the foreigners, which will help the team to gel before the NFL. I will use rotation to rest my players if some of them need rest and recuperation. Being together as a team is the most important thing.

You've acquired Jinto and Hekmat on loan. You must have heard of their good performance in the Santosh Trophy. How will you utilize them over the duration of the season? Any more loan/transfer targets?

Right now we'll try Jinto and Hekmat in the Durand Cup. We need to see how these two do and improve. We'll try our junior players like Craig, Keegan, Lihaz, etc. too.

Finally, with your 'stars' away, what message do you have for your squad players in this Durand Cup?

Just to go and give your best. That is my message always to all our players, whether they are foreigners, Indian nationals, or juniors. The result will automatically come.

Thank you Mr. Pereira for talking to IndianFootball.Com. All the best for the upcoming Durand Cup.