Mehrajuddin Wadoo. (TOI Photo)

CHENNAI: Former India player Mehrajuddin Waddoo has joined the new ISL franchise Hyderabad FC as its assistant coach. But he was close to missing out on the job, courtesy the lockdown in Jammu & Kashmir following the abrogation of Article 370. Mehraj, who stays in Srinagar , didn't have a clue for almost 40 days that his former employers FC Pune City had shut shop and most of the players and coaches had shifted to Hyderabad.

"I didn't have a clue about the developments in the football circuit through August. So once the landline connections reopened, I got in touch with my friends via the landline at my in-laws' place and learnt that Pune City had been disbanded. It was upon contacting Pune officials that I was told that most of the players were joining Hyderabad. So I immediately got in touch with Hyderabad and they welcomed me," Mehraj, who is currently in Chennai for its pre-season, told TOI on Sunday.

However, it wasn't a smooth ride even after he accepted the offer. With no internet, Hyderabad FC were unable to send Mehraj tickets for the flight. "I took my PNR on the phone and I could board the flight since my house is close to the airport. If I had been staying somewhere in the interior, it would have been impossible for me to reach the airport," Mehraj, who landed here on September 12, said.

Even though Mehraj has been monitoring Hyderabad's practise sessions along with coach Phil Brown, he says it is tough to focus on his job because of the uncertainties back home. "There is still a complete shutdown due to the curfew and it is difficult to communicate with my family. But I try to maintain calm and repay the faith shown in me by Hyderabad," he said.

Mehraj is also planning to bring his family down once the team starts settling in. After the arrival of all the players, Hyderabad are likely to shift their pre-season camp to Goa. "Being so far away, it only adds to my worries. Hope things will get better," Mehraj said.

