ISL 2017/18: 'What Rene Meulensteen said is a lie,' says Kerala Blasters captain Sandesh Jhingan

Last week, former Kerala Blasters manager, Rene Meulensteen lashed out against captain, Sandesh Jhingan for allegedly behaving unprofessionally before the FC Goa game. One must, however, note that the former Manchester United assistant coach decided to express himself only after he was sacked by Kerala’s management, owing to a string of poor results.

Speaking exclusively to Sportskeeda, Sandesh Jhingan has finally decided to express his side of the story. Kerala’s leader and centre-back, who was silent all this while, cleared the air and put things into perspective. Here are excerpts from his extensive interview

Q: Now that all this has happened, people want to know your side of the story...

A: I wanted to reply because people still have doubts. I will tell you my story. The night before the Goa game (20th January), CK Vineeth called me up saying that he needs to speak to me. I was chilling in my room, he came in and asked me if I have seen the news?

He said some news has come up about you and CK asked me not to react. Then he showed me the article, I read it for the first time and laughed it off. This is such a big lie and CK knew this but he told me this news was trending.

It didn’t really affect me to be honest, if you haven’t done something wrong, it should never affect you. I know who I am. I know that 10 people love me and 10 people hate me as well. I never let these things affect me.

Q: Rene Meulensteen’s version of the story, about you drinking, how true is it?

A: What he said is a lie, it was just stupid news. I am really surprised by Goal.com, they spread news and spoilt someone’s name without getting the other side of the story.

The media shouldn’t misuse their power, publishing negative articles. My image got spoilt a lot. They should understand that posting something like this against me. Someone said something and they just readily accepted it.

People should understand that posting something like this can affect the family. It affected my family, my mother and my father. Media should know to use their power in the right way.

After the game, I called my mother and she read the story about me in the newspaper. She said, "I know you’re not that kind of a boy."

You know how mothers are? That did affect me, it really made me think that I need to reply to this now. It’s stupid news and part of football. I don’t think people understand that such things can affect the family as well.

I still respect Mr. Rene and I have nothing against him. I always had a good relationship with him. I wish Rene all the good luck in his career ahead. I would have been happy if he would have come up to me, if he had the courage to stand in front of me. If he can do that, I’ll be happy.

Q: So, what exactly happened the night before the Goa game (2-5 loss)?

A: He said I was drinking till 4 am right? We can get the footage of what time I was in my room. I had a good sleep. The footage will tell you that I was in my room. I have worked hard to be here.

From a boy in 2012 who was in Sikkim, playing 2nd division, before that I went to 4-5 clubs in Kolkata as well. My graph has always been high and I always had big dreams. I never let these things affect me, I have big standards. After all the sacrifices I made, I am not that stupid to give it all up.

Q: What about Rene suggesting that you did not want to win the Bengaluru FC game?

A: You can ask our team doctor and Mr.George, who is our physio in the national team, I have a very bad problem with my right calf.

For the first 3-4 games in the ISL, I was struggling. But I never give excuses. You can ask anyone, I had a bad issue in my calf. Rene knows that I also had a tear in my shoulder. Playing a game against my ex-club, you know the rivalry, right? That too on the 31st night, knowing that the entire of Kerala was dependent on us. The whole stadium and my family was disappointed. Do you think I will do all this just to get rid of him?

Why would I intentionally handle the ball? For the first time in my career, someone doubted my commitment towards the game. People do respect my commitment and I take a lot of pride in that. If I wanted Rene out, why would I run all the way from my half to the other and put in a cross for CK Vineeth to score? (against Chennaiyin)

Q: A message for the fans who supported you through this?

A: It made me really happy, most of the people and the players were all supporting me. They know I am not that kind of a guy. I really love them, to see all these people loving me. People who are negative will always be negative. This reply won’t make them love me and it doesn’t affect me.

I have a long career ahead and do not want to dwell on these controversies. I want to stay humble and focused. I have dreams and only want to work towards my goals.