New Delhi, Aug. 5 -- Khalid Jamil has always taken the tough path in Indian football. Calm, soft-spoken, and never one to chase the spotlight, he has made a name for himself not through hype, but through consistent results. From guiding Mumbai FC through steady seasons to scripting a fairy-tale I-League win with Aizawl FC, from handling the pressure of coaching Kolkata giants to breaking new ground in the Indian Super League (ISL), Jamil's coaching journey has been all about hard work and belief, as per the official website of the ISL.

Now, in 2025, he stands on the brink of a new chapter as the head coach of the Indian national team.

Before coaching came calling, football had already shaped Khalid Jamil as a promising midfielder with a...