Chennaiyin FC’s new head coach Thomas Brdaric is looking forward to his experience in Indian football and is keen to help Indian players develop which helps elevate the standards of Indian football.

The German who was appointed as the club’s new head coach on June 15 wants to provide Indian fans with a glimpse of German football and has vouched to play an attacking brand of football which would make the Chennaiyin FC fans proud.

The former German international has a 13-year experience under his belt and is hoping to put it to practice in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) and make Chennaiyin FC contenders for the crown yet again.

The Marina Machans finished eighth in Hero ISL 2021-22 campaign and Brdaric wants the club to remain positive about an improvement in this campaign.

The 47-year-old spoke to the Chennaiyin FC Media team on his thoughts on taking up the role, his playing style and his ambitions.

Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

On the feeling of taking over as Chennaiyin FC head coach

I'm completely excited. The first feeling is very good.

On reception given by the fans so far

The relationship with the fans is very important and I like the supporters and you know straight away they belong to a good club.

On his football philosophy

I think it's not possible to explain in a few words in a sense to say it. I think we should work out my philosophy and implement it according to the skills of our players. I think it should also fit with the club.

But generally, I like offensive football and creating chances through fast transition football. But we can't neglect the defence. It's also our part of the game to play in pressing zones and we will try to implement that in training sessions. For sure it will be a good challenge for all of us.

On Indian football and Indian players

I like Indian football and the Indian players. They have some individual skills and I want to develop them. I am not only here to get results. I'm also here to evolve young players. It's a special time here. and of course, I have to adapt a little bit to Indian football and to understand how the players work. I'm also happy that I have a chance to show these players here the German football style and I hope they will like it.

On the factors that made him choose Chennaiyin FC

I was very impressed with the owner, Mrs Vita Dani. She was very interested to develop Indian football and I appreciate that so much. I'm happy to get the opportunity wo work with the Chennaiyin FC family and get good results. I am very positive and I like to push the clubs (I work with) to achieve great objectives.

On new signings

To build a good team it's very important to catch the right players. I have a good feeling that we have signed good foreigners. I think Fallou (Diagne) is a very important part in our defence, to stabilise it and give them a face, to make them patient and make sure there is calmness while we build up. He can lead the group. I've worked with him and he is very humble. He can also score.

Watch Brdaric’s first interaction with the Chennaiyin FC media team below:

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