Diego Forlan: 'ISL should have relegation system'

Mumbai City FC did t extend Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan’s contract after 2016 Indian Super League (ISL) season despite prolific goal-scorer’s desire to continue spearheading attack for Mumbai side. Instead, former Manchester United striker went to play in Hong Kong Premier League after ISL snub.

“I wanted to come to India to play in ISL, but re were offers. I didn’t have opportunity to come back to play for Mumbai City FC, which I wanted to do. n I took a break to spend it with my family for a few months as my wife delivered a baby girl. n I got a good offer from Hong Kong. I had been to Japan and India previously. I wanted to see ar country,” said Forlan while speaking to reporters after tires manufacturers BKT inked a three-season deal with LaLiga to make m ir official global partners.

ISL should have relegation system

ISL and Major League Soccer (MLS) don’t have a relegation system in place. Forlan feels both leagues should implement a relegation-promotion system like rest of world. “ ISL and MLS don’t have a relegation system and you have to understand. But fact is that owners put so much money to make sport popular. If your team is going to relegate, owners will feel that y’re investing so much but getting thing in return and could be relegated too. It’s tough. I prefer format y play in across globe.” said former Atletico Madrid striker, who quit international football a couple of months ago after a 21-year career.

While he already has a South American coaching licence, Uruguayan plans to travel to Europe next year to earn a UEFA coaching licence. Forlan furr admitted that he is open to coaching Indian teams. “I had a good time here when I played. So, why t? It would be really nice,” Forlan said.

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Indians can succeed in football

Forlan is stranger to Indian football after his brief spell with Mumbai City FC in 2016. Despite India’s mixed results on international scene, 40-year-old believes Indians have physical and technical attributes to be a success in football but lack eugh opportunities derail chances of improvement. “y can do many things. t because y don’t have it. I played with some very good players in Mumbai. Sunil (Chhetri) is a very good player. He could have been in Europe had he got opportunity to stay longer in Europe. n Pronay (Halder) and Sehnaj (Singh) were physically strong midfielders,” 2010 FIFA World Cup Golden Boot winner stated. “But you need to create an (environment) at grass-root (level) and youngsters, y need to start playing and competing for more,” he added.

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Lastly, Forlan called for convenient opportunities to play sport. For him, India should lay out a roadmap to succeed swiftly. “Every country is different. When I went to play in different countries I needed to adapt. It is t necessary that Forlan in Spain would be as good as Forlan in India as conditions impact you. So for me, every country is different and must find ir own ways (to succeed),” Forlan said. “Here, with six-seven facilities, you cant do anything. In Mumbai, if you put one facility here (in South Mumbai), body is going to come from or side (suburban areas), so in Mumbai, you need (at least) six different facilities. n you go to Goa, Kerala, so you need big infrastructure, money and n you need coaches,” he concluded.

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