Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 semi-finalists, NorthEast United FC have officially begun their preparations for the 2019-20 season. Operating under the watchful eye of new head coach Robert Jarni, assistant coach Sasa Glavas and Head of Youth Development, Khalid Jamil, the players have been put through their paces in the last week, and will now be looking to prove their worth on the upcoming tour of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The squad flies out to the Middle East nation on 6^th September, where they hope to take part in a host of high-profile pre-season matches to get used to the intensity and speed of the league. They will return to their base in Guwahati in the first week of October, following which Jarni and Co. will put the finishing touches before the start of the season.

The Highlanders made history and reached the final four for the first time in their history last term. More of the same will be expected this time around, with the club bringing in players like Maximiliano Barreiro and Martin Chaves to replace the now-departed Bartholomew Ogbeche and Rowllin Borges. Star midfielder Federico Gallego has been retained whilst a host of local Indian talent like Redeem Tlang, Pawan Kumar and Rakesh Pradhan have also agreed to play for NorthEast in the new term.

Meanwhile, as per the club’s recent press briefing, Head of Youth Development Khalid Jamil has been engaged in restructuring their youth setup. The club plans to field U-13, U-15, U-18 and a reserve side this year in order to create a sustainable youth system which delivers a platform for youngsters to make it to the senior team in due course. Selection and trials for these junior teams have been going on since last month and the final squads will be finalised by the first week of September.