Reschristened RoundGlass Punjab FC, Mohali club ready for maiden season

The club, which was earlier known as Minerva Punjab FC before being fully taken over by the new management this year, had won the I-League title in 2018 and coach Fleming also believes that there will no extra pressure on the team with this season being their maiden season under the new management and identity. “For me, pressure is all about what you put yourself upon. When we come in any sport, there is going to be some pressure, be it as a player or as a coach. Talking of extra pressure of playing in maiden season as a club with new management, I believe there will be excitement about achieving things and having a start to build on something. Yes, it’s going to be tough against established clubs but what we can do is to plan and to be ready for the long-term goals,” Fleming added.

The 51-year-old former Irish footballer, who also plied his trade as a defender for English Premier League side Middlesbrough FC and had more than 300 appearances for the club, had earlier worked with Crystal Palace as interim manager in 2012. Fleming followed that stint with a role of assistant manager for Hartepool United and Queens Park Rangers before a coaching stint with Middlesbrough FC in 2018 before Roundglass Punjab FC.

“The opportunity to work with RoundGlass Punjab FC came when a friend of mine talked with me about the chance to coach this club and I met team owner Sunny Dhaliwal last year. I had options to coach in UK but I knew that this is the place for me. For me, the biggest thing in Indian football is the fact that it’s going in only one direction and it is going towards the roof. Talking of Indian players, I believe some of the Indian players have the same technical skills like players of clubs like Crystal Palace or Hartepool United or any other England club. What the Indian players really need is a little bit of finetuning and professional help from coaches and other staff,” Fleming said.

The club has got some experienced campaigners in the form of Beitia, Gyeltshen and Souvik Das. Fleming believes that the team has got the right balance of youth and experience. While the club has roped in Bhutanese striker Chencho Gyeltshen, who also played a vital role in then Minerva Punjab FC’s I-league title triumph in 2018, it also sees the presence of Spaniard Joseba Beitia, who was vital in Mohun Bagan’s I-league title triumph last season.

“For us, it’s about the character of the player and I believe all the players, be it young or senior, have shown the character. We have given them the chance to achieve their dreams and it is up to them how far they want to go. Regarding senior players, I am happy with the balance and the senior guys know their role and it benefits everybody in the team,” Fleming said.