For a club that had finished 11th and 10th in its last two Indian Super League (ISL) campaigns, Jamshedpur FC’s return to the playoffs in 2024-25 was nothing short of remarkable. It wasn’t just a turnaround. It was a statement. And it wasn’t overnight.

When Khalid Jamil was brought in midway through the 2023-24 season, there were doubts; plenty of them. Could the former I-League winner take this squad to the next level? Could he even stay long enough to attempt it? But glimpses of grit during that short stint earned him a full-time role, and in true Jamil fashion, the underdog expert got to work. With minimal resources and maximum clarity, the only Indian head coach in the ISL punched above his weight once again.

Jamil didn’t promise fancy football. What he delivered was structure, discipline, and a team that was hard to break down and quick to bite on the counter. A resolute defense, a compact shape under pressure, and an identity rooted in old-school resilience: that was the new Jamshedpur FC.

Yes, there were rough patches. But there was also belief. And that belief took them all the way to the semi-finals, where they were edged out 3-2 on aggregate by eventual champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

With that said, let’s take a closer look at how their ISL 2024-25 season unfolded.

Record

Pl: 24; W: 12; L: 10; D: 2; Pts: 38; GF: 37; GA: 43

Positives

Jamshedpur FC turned the Furnace into their fortress as they became invincible while playing on home soil, defying all odds throughout the campaign. The Men of Steel’s consistent, captivating performances at the JRD Tata Sports Complex ranked them third in the league in terms of home performance in the 2024-25 season.

Jamil’s men secured 25 points from their home fixtures, including eight wins. Jamshedpur FC were also unbeaten against Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the JRD Tata Sports Complex this season, as they shared spoils in the league stage match and emerged victorious in the semi-final first leg, showcasing their strength on home ground.

Negatives

For a side that prided itself on structure and resilience, conceding 43 goals, the joint second-most in the league, felt like a paradox.

Stephen Eze brought leadership to the backline, and Albino Gomes had his moments between the sticks, but lapses in concentration and poor tracking in transition hurt them repeatedly.

There were games where the defense looked impenetrable and then others where the dam broke far too easily..

Best Player: Javi Hernandez

Cometh the hour, cometh Javi Hernandez. A proven match winner in the ISL, he was the savior for the Men of Steel with his decisive goals in crunch moments. The Spanish playmaker was Jamshedpur FC’s heartbeat - scoring, creating, leading.

Whether it was the dramatic late winner against NorthEast United FC to seal a playoff spot or the decisive strike against MBSG in the semi-final first leg, Hernandez turned up when it mattered most.

With nine goals, his best-ever in an ISL season and 33 chances created, he was not just the team’s top scorer but also their most influential figure in the middle of the park. Calm on the ball, smart off it, and endlessly creative, he was the glue that held the attack together.

Best young player: Mohammed Sanan

Mohammed Sanan featured in each of Jamshedpur FC’s 27 games this season and was the highest Indian scorer for the club. The skilled winger clocked 1759 minutes on the field and also recorded four goal contributions this season.

A livewire on the wing, Sanan’s pace and directness caused all sorts of problems for defenders. With 22 chances created and 20 successful dribbles, he proved he could carry the creative load while also helping out defensively.

What do they need next season?

For a team that had forgotten what the playoffs felt like, this campaign was a breath of fresh air. But the challenge now is consistency.

Jamshedpur picked up just 13 points away from home alongside four wins in 12 attempts. If they want to go deeper into the postseason, they’ll need to figure out how to take the Furnace form with them on the road.

They’ll also need to plug the holes in defense. Jamil has the blueprint - tough to break down, dangerous on the counter, but to make that system sustainable, they need better coordination at the back.

Still, there’s no denying the progress. With a solid core, emerging youngsters, and the tactical nous of Jamil, Jamshedpur FC are no longer outsiders.

Jamil-ball isn’t just surviving. It’s thriving.