NEUFC coach Juan Bernali: Proud to say we’re playing in Shillong

NEUFC coach Juan Bernali: Proud to say we’re playing in Shillong

The season before Juan Pedro Benali took charge of NorthEast United FC (NEUFC), the club endured the worst campaign in Indian Super League (ISL) history, finishing bottom of the table with just five points from 20 games.

Two years on, NEUFC is competing for a playoff spot, with a Durand Cup title now in its trophy cabinet. After narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season, Benali has raised the bar, assembling a team that plays with intensity and attacking flair. Under his guidance, the Highlanders have already surpassed their record for most goals in a single season and registered their biggest-ever win – a 5-0 triumph over Jamshedpur FC.

With over 25 years of managerial experience, Benali has been instrumental in identifying and nurturing Indian talents such as Parthib Gogoi and Jithin M.S., while also securing impressive foreign signings like Alaaeddine Ajaraie and Guillermo Fernandez.

Ahead of NEUFC’s historic clash against Mumbai City FC at Shillong’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium – the first ISL match at the venue – the Spaniard spoke to Sportstar about his time in India and his views on Indian football.

Excerpts:

A. It’s great. Shillong is a beautiful place, a stunning city in a wonderful region. The field and stadium are incredible, and when it’s full, I’m proud to say we are playing here. It’s an honour for us and for the ISL to have a full house in such a magnificent ground. We hope the fans will enjoy some great football.

A. It wasn’t very easy, but the Indian players, staff, and club members have made the transition very smooth for us. Everyone has been incredibly hospitable, making us feel at home, like family. Now, we truly feel a part of India.

Well, I think it’s a process — a matter of time. Decision-making involves allowing players to make mistakes and then correcting them, rather than just directing them. It’s not PlayStation.

The problem arises when a player is taken out of their comfort zone from ISL or I-League games; they start to get nervous, and their decisions are not always very good. This is the difficulty — they need to understand that they are not worse than others, and others are not better than them. They just need to be themselves and play.

Alaaeddine is a great player — a fantastic player. But it’s not just him; all my players are hungry. The player who assists him, the player who defends to win the ball and give it to him, the player who runs so that Alaaeddine is free to score — they all contribute. He is fantastic, but I have 26 great players.

You know, I’ve been a football player, and they are football players.

Their goal is to be the best — not just to play for the national team, but to take pride in their achievements, to make their families, friends, and fans proud, and to be proud of themselves.

We have a mix of veterans and young players. The veterans are contributing significantly, which is why the youngsters are emerging.

It’s not about Juan Pedro Benali — it’s about the team. It’s the other players who are helping these young players become very good.

Let’s think of it as building a national team. Don’t forget that India were champions in 1962, winning Asian Games gold. This shows that we just need confidence — to believe in ourselves and say, “Hey, we can do it.”

The problem is that there is too much pressure on the players, coaches, and the national team as a whole. Everyone expects immediate results. But when a player constantly thinks, I need a result, I need a result, it won’t come.

He won’t feel as comfortable in the team. However, the day he feels at ease, free from pressure, he will truly give everything for the flag.

Published on Feb 07, 2025