Team Profile
Northeast India has long been known as one of India’s footballing hotbeds. The national team’s first post-independence captain, Talimeran Ao, hailed from the region, as does modern legend Baichung Bhutia. It was this tradition that attracted Bollywood star John Abraham into bidding for a northeast-based Hero Indian Super League club. NorthEast United FC, which is also co-owned by I-League club Shilllong Lajong, will be based out of Guwahati.
Ricki Herbert, the veteran former New Zealand international who also led New Zealand to the 2010 FIFA World Cup as manager, has been brought in by the club in a managerial role. NorthEast United also announced Joan Capdevila, a member of Spain’s title-winning teams at both UEFA Euro 2008 and FIFA World Cup 2010 as its marquee player. The ex-Villarreal right-back brings vast experience to what is otherwise a young squad.
The youthful nature of the side is in accordance with the philosophy of the owners, who want to establish a club which can serve as a platform for the region’s young footballers. One of the key aims is to propel north-east footballers to national recognition, and the Indian national team. NorthEast United is counting on its young guns to take the region’s proud footballing pedigree to new heights!
