Debasis Sen in London
Former ISL-winning coach John Gregory is concerned with the recent developments in Indian Super League with clubs like Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC shutting their operations temporarily. Gregory, who coached Chennaiyin in their maiden title-winning year, doesn’t think that there is a quick fix to the solution. The 71-year-old also reflected on his successful stint with Aston Villa and his regrets both as a player and manager. Here are the excerpts:
How much of a cultural shock was Indian football for you when you first arrived?
John Gregory: It wasn’t too much of a shock, to be honest. It was kind of how I expected it to be. Obviously, this was back in 2017 when I first came over to India, to Chennai. So, it was everything I expected. I knew it might be difficult at times for the local Indian boys, mainly due to the language barrier, whether or not they could understand me with my English. But most of the time, communication was very good. I certainly enjoyed myself from the moment I arrived.
What was it like joining Chennaiyin FC at the time?
John Gregory: When I joined, Chennaiyin had already had a couple of good years. There was a great fan base in the city. We were averaging around 14,000 to 15,000 fans per home game, and for big matches against rivals like Kerala, ATK or Bengaluru, the numbers would go up to around 19,000 or 20,000. It was exactly the kind of football atmosphere I had hoped for. Chennai is a cricket city, no doubt, but the football fans really took us to heart there.
How do you look back on that stint with Chennaiyin?
John Gregory: With very fond memories. Being successful in my first year certainly helped. Yes, it’s a cricketing country, and introducing football to that kind of sporting culture was challenging. Some clubs were successful at it, while others struggled. Mumbai and Delhi, in particular, didn’t draw the kind of crowds you’d hope for. I remember playing in Delhi’s massive stadium— 60,000 or 70,000 capacity — and only around 1,500 people turned up. That was disappointing. But Chennai? I was hooked. The fans were brilliant, and I was very happy there.
Given the current troubles in Indian football, what do you think needs to be done? Is there a quick solution?
John Gregory: I don’t think there’s a quick fix. Being in England now, it’s sometimes hard to keep up with exactly what’s going on in the ISL. But I think Covid-19 really hurt the league. Everyone moved to Goa, all the games were played there, and fans couldn’t attend. When teams returned to their home grounds, many fans simply didn’t come back. I think some of them had checked football out initially, enjoyed the novelty, and then moved on.
And clubs like Bengaluru FC are reportedly stopping salaries — what’s your take?
John Gregory: That’s very worrying. It doesn’t look good at all. I’d be nervous about the ISL resuming in a stable state. When I was there in 2017, it was just the fourth season — everything was exciting and fresh. Teams were competitive, and fans were turning up. But now? It feels like the ISL has lost a bit of its gloss. Even TV coverage has scaled back — pundits used to be in the stadiums; now everything is done from Mumbai. Financially, the owners are pouring in money and not getting returns. Even when we won the title at Chennaiyin, the club still lost money.
Do you think Mohun Bagan’s dominance is affecting fan engagement?
John Gregory: Yes, I do. Mohun Bagan Super Giant have become the clear favourites every season. They’re winning everything. I think some fans are fed up watching the same team dominate. They’ve invested heavily — best players, best coaches, best facilities. When Mohun Bagan come calling, they offer the best wages, and that usually seals the deal. Right now, no one can match them financially, and that lack of competition hurts the league’s appeal.
Sunil Chhetri recently got a national team call-up at 40. What message does that send to young Indian players?
John Gregory: It sends a message not just to the young ones but to the older players too. If you take care of your body, stay fit, and keep working hard, you can continue playing at a high level. Every year I think Sunil will retire, but he just keeps lacing up his boots and getting on with it. He’s been extraordinary for Bengaluru and Indian football.
Do young Indian players get enough exposure? Should they look to move abroad?
John Gregory: Moving abroad is tough. Some have tried to go to Europe and found the level a bit too high. But I still believe there’s opportunity in Indian football. The ISL showed that football can be a viable career financially, which wasn’t the case before. Parents used to steer their kids toward more “stable” professions. That’s changing now, but only if the ISL survives and continues growing. The national team also needs to improve. India still hasn’t qualified for a World Cup, and that’s a major goal.
You played every outfield position at Aston Villa. Do you think that sort of versatility is still common?
John Gregory: Probably not. I was young and just wanted to play. If the coach said left-wing, I said yes. Right-back? Yes. I think that versatility helped me have a longer career, but it’s not something you see too often now.
Your Villa team topped the Premier League table at New Year in 1998–99. What went wrong after that?
John Gregory: We lost a couple of key players. Hugo Ehiogu got injured — massive loss. Dion Dublin had a serious injury as well. And, to be fair, I was still inexperienced. I was going up against the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger, and Luca Vialli. We started that season really well and just tailed off towards the end. But we still qualified for Europe, and I have many happy memories from that period.
Was Aston Villa the highlight of your managerial career?
John Gregory: Absolutely. The biggest club I managed. We had 40,000 fans at home matches, and even today, when I go back to Villa Park, they look after me really well. I always said to my wife, ‘After Villa, it’s all downhill’, and she remembers that. Villa was the pinnacle of my career.
Any regrets from your career?
John Gregory: Of course. Everyone has regrets. Maybe I should’ve stayed longer at certain clubs. Maybe I should’ve been more adventurous in the 2000 FA Cup final against Chelsea — we lost 1–0, and I sometimes wish I’d been braver with my tactics. My second season in Chennai also didn’t go as well as the first, and there are things I’d do differently now. But I’ve had a fantastic career overall, and I look back on it with gratitude, especially my time in Chennaiyin. Great team, great fans, and owners like Vita Dani and Abhishek Bachchan who really supported me. I still keep in touch with them.
Any final thoughts on the future of Indian football?
John Gregory: I just hope the ISL can get back on its feet. We need to see players back on training grounds, clubs stable again, and fans filling the stands. There’s potential, but it needs careful, passionate management to reach it.
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