Hyderabad FC since their inception in 2019 has seen many versions of the club. The best version of the team was when Manolo Marquez became their coach and led them to the Indian Super League title. However, with his departure, Conor Nestor is the new man in whom the club has vested their faith.
Nestor, who recently won the Cambodian Championship with his former club Svag Rieng will be looking to carry the same momentum to Hyderabad FC in his second managerial stint. The Irishman is ready to inherit the legacy left behind by the Spaniard.
“India and Hyderabad are a welcoming place and it makes me look forward to the work ahead even more,” Nestor expressed his initial views on the country and the club.
While the Nizams built their base on Manolo’s teaching and legacy, Nestor also promises to take the club to greater heights. He highlights how he has always stayed long-term to build a project, whether be it with the Ireland FA or in Cambodia.
“If you look at my career so far, I’ve been somebody who’s stayed in places for a long time. (I) worked for the FA in Ireland for almost a decade, I was in Cambodia for five and a half years, so I’m somebody that prefers to stay in places and build something,” Nestor highlighted
He opened up on his decision to choose Hyderabad FC as he felt that the club has a very short history and it is according to him an ideal place to build a long-term project. He also revealed player development and how it depends on the infrastructure at the club along with the coaches and staff at disposal.
“Why Hyderabad FC? Basically, because I see it as somewhere where I can build something that is long-term and sustainable. The club has a short history but there’s a very bright future and I want to play a part in that,” he said.
“If you want to produce players – top-level players then it’s about the infrastructure you provide around them. I think coaches and staff, in general, are part of that,” he added.
Under Manolo Marquez, Hyderabad FC developed many such players who are now household names in Indian football starting from Asish Rai, Akash Mishra, Rohit Danu, Mohammed Yasir, Hitesh Sharma, etc. However the Nizams plan to keep focusing on youth development and Nestor believes that his philosophies will fit in comprehensively not only with the first team but also with the entire management.
“I think the club, from top to bottom, from what I have seen, the work facilities, the staff that surrounds the team, they have everything that you need to have here. So, it’s just the question of getting the right players and going forward with the right values at the club,” the Irishman concluded.
Nestor will have the experienced tactician in Thangboi Singto and Shameel Chembakath to guide him in this journey in India.
