NorthEast United FC coach Floyd Pinto opens up about his future, recruitment process, and more 

NorthEast United FC faced several setbacks in the recently concluded season. Hiring the experienced Marco Balbul appeared to have been a wise decision at the start of the season, but the Highlanders struggled to compete in the Indian Super League (ISL), with the Israeli manager departing in December as a result.

Vincenzo Annese suffered the same fate. Despite improved performances, he was unable to make an impact at the club. Reflecting on their season, one of the core factors that hampered their progress is a lack of focus on team building and the failure to secure the right players at the right time.

Nonetheless, the Highlanders added a few talented youngsters to the side from lower divisions and they have certainly showcased their potential in glimpses.

After leading the team to a semi-final appearance in the Hero Super Cup, assistant coach Floyd Pinto, in an exclusive interview with Sportskeeda, opened up about the importance of singing young players and the challenges they could face once emerging on the big stage.

"I believe that a major part of success is the recruitment. At this point, we have a group of fresh, young, talented players. But the major aspect is once you come in from a lower division team to the ISL, the player needs to learn the level of professionalism, not only in terms of training but the overall preparation as the expectation in the ISL is much higher,” Pinto said.

He added:

"Getting in the right player is important because the intensity of the league is high. Most of the successful teams have a mixture of young Indian players, a handful of experienced players around them, and a good set of foreigners. If you don’t have the budget to compete with the likes of ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC, you need to be very shrewd with recruitment."

With a wealth of experience in identifying and improving young talents, Pinto’s approach to coaching will continue to benefit players like Parthib Gogoi, Emil Benny, Joe Zoherliana, and several youngsters in the squad.

While the step up could be a challenge in itself, the 36-year-old believes the players should possess the consistency to develop their game.

"NorthEast United has several young players who are performing well, but consistency is what is required. The pressure of performing week in, week out is so high that you need players who have the mentality to step up and develop. If you have your philosophy, and training methods planned in advance, that will give players the maximum opportunity to showcase their talents,” Pinto elaborated.

In recent years, clubs are increasingly using a data-driven model for scouting and recruitment to get a competitive edge over teams with financial might. It has become a critical component of modern football, with several ISL clubs also utilizing data to make smart signings.

Pinto certainly appreciates the insight it provides but believes that watching the players on the field remains the gold standard for identifying and assessing a potential talent.

Speaking on this topic, the Highlanders coach stated:

"I think there are clubs in the ISL that already following this process. Data-driven scouting is a good reference point to have, but nothing beats you seeing the player yourself. Data gives you a good platform as to what a player is. But I prefer talking to the player or in person if possible to gauge where he is at and what he could give the club in terms of effort and mentality."

Pinto continued:

"This is where I spend my time off-season. I always try to visit the national team, looking at various tournaments around. You will be able to watch the action firsthand and see if a player has the potential to make the step up to the ISL. That’s a risk you take, but that’s also based on how confident you are as a coach."

Following Clifford Miranda and Floyd Pinto’s success in the Hero Super Cup, there has been a lot of focus and questions on why clubs fail to hire Indian coaches. Miranda, in an interview with the Times of India, stated that several aspiring coaches lack professionalism and tactical know-how when compared to foreign coaches.

Quizzed about his thoughts on Miranda’s statements, Pinto responded in a similar manner, emphasizing the importance of being prepared when coaching at a higher level. He said:

"Every coach is different. You cannot generalize when it comes to his/her preparation and approach. But I do believe that as an Indian coach, you need to be prepared and that’s where we lack. I never expected to be in charge of the Super Cup, but when I got to know about the possibility, I started preparing immediately to build a good plan.

"When you’re executing the plan, you’re not thinking on the spur of the moment because you know exactly what needs to be done. As far as tactical aspects go, it depends. I love to watch at least one or two football games every day. I’m very well-versed in what’s happening in European football, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to help me train NorthEast United."

Pinto added:

"The level I’m dealing with is different in terms of tactical expertise, technical and mental aspects. But what could I get from there that will be useful for my players is something we should think about."

The former Indian Arrows coach also pointed out his experience with RoundGlass Punjab FC and NorthEast United FC as an example to cite the importance of being prepared well in advance, saying:

"I was happy with the Super Cup campaign because we improved every player in the squad in a month’s frame. That was possible only because of a good plan in place and a team around you to execute that plan in a structured manner.

"Nothing will be handed to you, so a coach needs to be prepared. In my case, I was happy with RoundGlass Punjab FC but wanted to experience the ISL. If you don’t take that risk or plan your personal development in advance of where you want to be, you’re never going to achieve your goals as a coach."

Floyd Pinto’s future unquestionably looks bright. He is one of India’s promising up-and-coming coaches and the Super Cup campaign has further cemented his reputation.

When asked about his role in the forthcoming season, Pinto responded that following a hectic year at the club, now is the time to "switch off".

"At the moment, it’s just reflecting on what we have done in the Super Cup. As a coach, it’s very important for us to switch off as well since the season is hectic. Every season I look to challenge myself and want to learn more, be it as an assistant or head coach. As long as the club has a good project, vision, and structure in mind, I’m always available," he said.

"I have worked right from the Under-16 level and the senior players at an ISL club. So I’m more than happy to provide information from my experiences to develop the entire structure of a football club. I’m always looking for an opportunity to maximize the potential of a club and hence I learn as well," Pinto continued.

He added:

"But the immediate priority for me is getting the Pro license course. Until then, what I can do is feed off the positive experiences I’ve had in the Super Cup and take it into next season to provide information to the next head coach, which will also help me to develop."

The 2022-23 season has left NorthEast United FC in a state of disarray and has created a sense of instability throughout the club. But Floyd Pinto’s presence could boost the squad for the upcoming campaign, as they look to redeem themselves after a disappointing season.