INTERVIEW WITH BENITO MONTALVO|BENITO SHARES HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT INDIAN FOOTBALL

 1. How many years of experience do you possess working as a football coach?

My path as a coach started in 2015 in Barcelona, Spain in Marcet Academy where our main focus was to develop young players and study football in detail. Now I have 7 years of different experiences everyday, even learning under Manolo Marquez’s guidance.

2. What elements about football make you excited and motivated to work every day?

I like to study and analyze the game, the key moments, break down of universal concepts and principles to give the proper information to the players to improve their qualities. I believe that having as much knowledge as possible of football areas help coaches to connect through training sessions and support the players to help them know their characteristics and understand better how they can fit in the team and adjust to their roles in the group.

3. What are your thoughts on Indian football and could you share your opinions on how to improve it?

Indian football has a great potential in all levels, the quality of players is improving every year. But we should continue getting qualified coaching and experiences abroad from the youth.To improve, Indian football should get united, have promotions and relegations. More teams in the competitions will help to give opportunities for more players.

4. After the ISL winning season, Hyderabad FC steps into the 9th season of the Indian Super League and so how are the preparations going on the Hyderabad FC camp?

Was a huge joy for us as a club, as a group that overcome a lot of difficulties during the season that made our bond stronger, as a big family, between the players, the staff, and the management. The club is new and is trying to create an identity with experienced foreign players that will help the young players that have an opportunity to show their potential.

The preparation for this season remains similar to the previous ones with a lot of excitement and a strong will to prepare every week with detailed planning. We have retained a strong base of players from the previous years, we know them and they know us so everyone can understand what to expect from us. They know we want the best for everyone of them, what we do is thought to improve individually and collectively.

5. Which Indian player in the Hyderabad FC squad impressed you?

There are too many Indian players that impressed me in the squad, luckily they are very diverse and provide to the team dynamism, intelligence, verticality, creativity and quality.

6. What’s your opinion about Bart Ogbeche’s contract extension?

Bart not only was the top scorer in the league but he contributed in a big way as a leader and as an example for the younger players. His professionalism is admirable. He performed incredible with us playing as striker, attacking midfielder at a very high level with a lot of courage and strong will for the team. If we speak of Bart, we need to speak about all players in the team, everyone was very important, we are very grateful to everyone. Everyone had their opportunities and contributed on and off the field for the success in the season.

7. Hyderabad FC is a club with a lot of young Indian talents and how are these players performing and do you think these players will be vital for the team in the upcoming seasons?

The level of Indian players is improving every season. They are getting more important roles in the team. Last season, every player contributed to the team and we expect that this season the players continue growing. We are grateful for the attitude and sacrifices they dedicate to the team in every training and games.

8. Can you describe your daily routine as a coach with the HFC team?

Every day we are working hand in hand with the coaching staff, at 9am we have a meeting with the coaching and medical staff to make the training session, even though we have a monthly planning, football and ISL is very dynamic so we are designing and deciding every day which training and actions we need to take with the team and club interests. Manolo as a headcoach communicate, make part everyone in the staff of the decisions according to the areas involved in the matter.

I work together with Joy Gabriel analyst and Shameel assistant coach, the opposition analysis and feedback to the players. During the sessions at 4:30pm we divide the tasks to lead everyone, physical coach Jose starts and then according to the training, with Shameel and Manolo we dedicate to improve the players and the team. Asier will start with the goalkeeper training and later will join the training with the whole group. As a coaching staff we are looking after every player and very open to them having fluid communication.