Jamshedpur FC have agreed on terms with English coach Aidy Boothroyd to take charge as their new manager for the ISL 2022-23 season, IFTWC can confirm.
Aidy Boothroyd will replace Scottish coach Owen Coyle who left his position as the club’s manager at the end of last season due to personal reasons. Since then, the Red Miners have been looking for a replacement.
“Jamshedpur FC have agreed on terms with English manager Aidy Boothroyd to become the team’s head coach for the upcoming season,” a source close to the development told IFTWC.
Aidy Boothroyd began his managerial career as a youth coach at Peterborough FC at the turn of the century. He then moved on to Norwich City FC and continued as their youth academy coach. Boothroyd was then appointed as the Technical Director at West Bromwich Albion in 2003. After a one-year stay in the West Midlands, Aidy was given the charge to become the assistant manager at West Yorkshire-based club Leeds United in 2004.
After a one-year stint at Leeds, Aidy was appointed as the manager of Watford in 2005 and he continued there till 2008. During his time with Watford, he was regarded as one of the best young managers in England. At the time of his departure, he was the division’s youngest and second longest-serving manager. He is known for his direct long-ball approach, and is often referred to by fans and the media as “Aidy Hoofroyd”.
Boothroyd then had short one-year spells from 2009 to 2010 at Colchester United and then from 2010 to 2011 at Coventry City. In 2011, he replaced Gary Johnson at Northampton Town. After saving the club from relegation in the 2011–12 season, he took Northampton to the League Two Playoff final in May 2013, only to be defeated in the final. After a poor start to the 2013–14 season, he was relieved of his duties on 21 December 2013, with the club bottom of the Football League.
On 28 February 2014, Boothroyd was appointed manager of the England under-20 national football team but was replaced the following year in a reshuffle that saw him coach the under-19 side instead. He was re-appointed under-20s manager in August 2016, with Keith Downing taking charge of the under-19s. Boothroyd was named caretaker manager of the England under-21 national football team after Gareth Southgate was named interim manager of the senior team.
Boothroyd took over a short-term coaching role for Northern Ireland’s national team last month. However, the 51-year-old former Watford and Coventry City manager is all set to move to India with the last season’s table-toppers and 2021-22 ISL League Shield Winners, Jamshedpur FC.
For Jamshedpur FC, the club has already signed defender Pratik Chaudhari from Bengaluru FC, midfielder Germanpreet Singh from Chennaiyin FC, and youngster Sheikh Sahil from ATK Mohun Bagan. While Mobashir Rahman has gone to East Bengal and Grew Stewart has signed for Mumbai City FC. The Red Miners have also given a contract extension to their midfielder Jitendra Singh.
There will be high expectations on Aidy’s shoulders to replicate the success emulated by Owen Coyle last season. Along with helping the club perform well, he must ensure that the core of the team is made up of youngsters and regularly produces emerging and talented footballers. Now it is to be seen how successful can the Brentford-born coach become in India with the Red Miners.
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