Indian Super League: Ishfaq Ahmed set to join Tata Steel's football team as Assistant Manager

The Kashmir-born former winger has parted ways with Kerala Blasters and is likely to be the newly formed team's first signing...

Ishfaq Ahmed has ended his three year association with and is set to sign for the newly inducted (ISL) team from Jamshedpur as Assistant Manager, Goal can confirm.



Ishfaq will be the first ever signing for the Jharkhand-based ISL team, owned by Tata Steel, . He is expected to join the setup in the next couple of days. However, officials from the Tata Group were unavailable to comment on the development.

Thangboi Singto named Kerala Blasters' Assistant Coach

Ishfaq Ahmed joins the new franchise after a largely successful three year stint with Kerala Blasters during which the team reached the ISL final twice, with the winger starting on both occasions.

The 34-year-old was drafted into Kerala Blasters during the inaugural season of the IMG-Reliance owned league in 2014. Since the second season onwards, the former U-23 player was also handed coaching duties, making him the first and only Indian player-manager in the ISL so far.



After hanging up his playing boots after the 2016 ISL, Ishfaq had a few stints as a television pundit and commentator during the last season. The former winger has also completed his Asian Football Confederation (AFC) 'B' coaching license course earlier this month, passing in his first try itself.



Ishfaq, who has turned out for most major clubs in including and in the past was also given scouting responsibilites while at Kerala Blasters along with former India international NP Pradeep.

Tata Steel, new entrants in the ISL, might just have made a good acquisition in poaching an experienced figure with respect to the rigours and challenges of the league.