Skip to content

Indian Super League: Michael Chopra says he wants to become a manager in India

Image: Michael Chopra playing for Newcastle in 2006

Former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra wants to follow in the footsteps of David James and Marco Materazzi and become a player-manager of a team in India.

The former England goalkeeper is currently the player-manager of Kerala Blasters FC while the former Inter Milan star joined Indian club Chennaiyin FC earlier this month also as a player-manager.

Chopra is currently playing for Indian Super League side Kerala Blasters and he believes previous experience working under the likes of Roy Keane, Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer puts him in a fantastic position to land a managerial role.

“I would like to be a coach or a manager one day,” Chopra told Sky Sports.

“So many players are doing it now and if that opportunity arose in India that would be brilliant.

“I have plenty of knowledge and a status out here because I’m of Indian origin and also because I was the first Indian to play in the Premier League, so I have a lot of things going for me.

“Look at some of the managers I have worked under - the likes of Sir Bobby Robson and Roy Keane.

“Sir Bobby was one of the best managers in history. I learnt so much from him. He used to talk about lots of players but I always remember him telling me about taking Ronaldo to Barcelona when he was just a kid, taking him under his wing and mentoring him.

“I also played under Roy who has worked under Sir Alex Ferguson who many regard as the best manager ever.

“So I’ve got lots of experience and knowledge about the game even at this moment in time that’s why I’m starting to think about when I go the other way.”

The inaugural ISL run by IMG-Reliance runs till December and the following month will see the resumption of India’s regular domestic league the I-League.

And Chopra is keen to speak to I-League clubs as he seeks to establish himself as a key figure in Indian football.

“I-League clubs can only have four foreigners and I know a lot of the clubs have recruited their quota so it’s a case of trying to pick the right club,” he said.

“I think there might be a new club formed in Pune who will be looking for new players and a new manager.

“I’d like to get in touch with the guys because it could be a great opportunity to become a player-manager.

“It was a few years ago when I said I would never do it but the older I have gotten the greater desire I have to help young kids and give something back.”

Around Sky