Road to ISL 2018-19 Playoffs - Eelco Schattorie makes history - 5 Things NorthEast United FC did right to make the Playoffs

#3 Belief in Eelco Schattorie

Schattorie's tactics have paid dividends this season (Image Courtesy: ISL)

Among the ISL managers this season, save for the Dutchman, no one else has coached in the I-League.

He had coached Prayag United and East Bengal and had a thorough understanding of Indian football before arriving in India.

He updated his knowledge of Indian football from the sidelines, working as the assistant manager under Avram Grant last season.

Upon stepping down of the latter, NorthEast United FC, convinced with his work, looked to promote him.

Appointing him as the coach, however, wasn’t easy.

The coach himself admitted that the “club had to pull some strings” to make him the coach as the Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) weren’t keen on clearing him.

Congratulating him on helping NorthEast reach the playoff, football journalist Marcus Mergulhao tweeted, “Come to think of it, the organizers were not even willing to clear you as coach. You proved them wrong, and those who believed in you right.”