Ishfaq Ahmed

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ishfaq Ahmed

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1983|3|17|df=y}}

| birth_place = Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India

| height = {{height|m=1.75}}

| currentclub = Real Kashmir, India U17 (head coach)

| clubnumber =

| position = Central midfielder

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2002–2003

| clubs1 = HAL

| caps1 = 25

| goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2003–2007

| clubs2 = Dempo

| caps2 = 61

| goals2 = 14

| years3 = 2007–2011

| clubs3 = Mohun Bagan

| caps3 = 82

| goals3 = 15

| years4 = 2011–2012

| clubs4 = Salgaocar

| caps4 = 30

| goals4 = 8

| years5 = 2012–2013

| clubs5 = East Bengal

| caps5 = 22

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2013–2014

| clubs6 = → Mohammedan (loan)

| caps6 = 14

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2014–2017

| clubs7 = Kerala Blasters

| caps7 = 25

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2015

| clubs8 = → Pune (loan)

| caps8 = 11

| goals8 = 1

| years9 = 2016

| clubs9 = → Mumbai (loan)

| caps9 = 5

| goals9 = 0

| years10 = 2017

| clubs10 = → Mohammedan (loan)

| caps10 =

| goals10 =

| totalcaps = 275

| totalgoals = 45

| nationalyears1 = 2003

| nationalteam1 = India U23

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| manageryears1 = 2015–2017

| managerclubs1 = Kerala Blasters (assistant)

| manageryears2 = 2017–2018

| managerclubs2 = Jamshedpur (assistant)

| manageryears3 = 2019–2023

| managerclubs3 = Kerala Blasters (assistant)

| manageryears4 = 2021

| managerclubs4 = Kerala Blasters (interim)

| manageryears5 = 2023–

| managerclubs5 = Real Kashmir

| manageryears6 = 2024–

| managerclubs6 = India U17

}}

Ishfaq Ahmed (born 17 March 1983) is an Indian football coach and former footballer. He is currently serving as the head coach of the I-League club Real Kashmir and the India national under-17 football team.

He is also a member of the AIFF technical committee. He is considered as one of the most technical strikers in the Indian football. Ishfaq is one among the two professional footballers, along with Mehrajuddin Wadoo, to come from Jammu and Kashmir.{{cite web |last=Maitra |first=Sayantan |date=7 January 2017 |title=Jammu and Kashmir: How the CRPF helped two Indian footballers play in Spain! |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/jammu-kashmir-how-crpf-helped-two-indian-footballers-play-spain-711374 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812142407/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/jammu-kashmir-how-crpf-helped-two-indian-footballers-play-spain-711374 |archive-date=12 August 2022 |access-date=29 June 2021 |website=ibtimes.co.in}} He has represented the country and has played in the I-League and the Indian Super League for several clubs, including Dempo, Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar, East Bengal, Mohammedan, Kerala Blasters, Pune F.C, and Mumbai F.C. He has also won the league title while also winning domestic cups such as the Federation Cup and Durand Cup.

Club career

=Early career=

Born in the Barbar Shah locality in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, Ahmed started his sports career as a cricket player.{{cite news|last1=Malik|first1=Saqib|title=Top notch Kashmir footballer is jobless|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/sports/top-notch-kashmir-footballer-is-jobless/202775.html|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Greater Kashmir|date=28 November 2015|archive-date=16 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016174733/http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/sports/top-notch-kashmir-footballer-is-jobless/202775.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Interview of Ishfaq Ahmed|url=http://www.mohunbaganac.com/interview-detail/interview-of-ishfaq-ahmed|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Mohun Bagan Athletic Club|date=18 February 2009|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919190611/http://www.mohunbaganac.com/interview-detail/interview-of-ishfaq-ahmed|url-status=dead}} Despite more opportunities to play cricket, Ahmed admitted that his first sporting love was football and he started to play the game at Biscoe School while also playing for the local side, YMCA.{{cite news|last1=Shafi|first1=Zehra|title=Kashmir has talent but no infrastructure: Footballer Ishfaq Ahmed|url=http://twocircles.net/2011oct23/kashmir_has_talent_no_infrastructure_footballer_ishfaq_ahmed.html#.V5-tR5MrLBI|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Two Circles|date=23 October 2011|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127102417/http://twocircles.net/2011oct23/kashmir_has_talent_no_infrastructure_footballer_ishfaq_ahmed.html#.V5-tR5MrLBI|url-status=live}} At the age of seventeen, Ahmed lead YMCA to the state league title, becoming the state top scorer in the process while playing as a striker. He credits his first football coach, Satpal Singh, for getting him to become a professional footballer: "Satpal Singh not only brushed up my skills but also helped me turn into a professional. My teachers at Biscoe and Gandhi College also supported me a lot." After playing for YMCA, Ahmed started to play for the Jammu and Kashmir Bank football team. After good performances with the side, Ahmed was selected to join the Jammu and Kashmir under-21 side for the Dutta Ray Trophy as captain.{{cite news|title=J&K gives Bengal a scare|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2002/04/26/stories/2002042602872100.htm|access-date=1 August 2016|work=The Hindu|date=26 April 2002}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

Due to his performance during the Dutta Ray Trophy, Ahmed was awarded the best player of the tournament award.{{cite news|title=Fantastic Four|url=http://www.kashmirlife.net/fantastic-four-57016/|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Kashmir Life|date=17 March 2014|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822043853/http://www.kashmirlife.net/fantastic-four-57016/|url-status=live}} After the tournament, Ahmed signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).{{cite news|title=Pune FC sign midfielder Ishfaq Ahmed|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/Pune-FC-sign-midfielder-Ishfaq-Ahmed/articleshow/45901175.cms|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Times of India|date=15 January 2015|archive-date=20 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520145316/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/Pune-FC-sign-midfielder-Ishfaq-Ahmed/articleshow/45901175.cms|url-status=live}} During his only season at HAL, Ahmed scored seven goals in the National Football League, including strikes against major sides such as East Bengal, Dempo, and Churchill Brothers.

After one season with HAL, Ahmed signed with Dempo. He stayed with the club for four seasons, winning the National Football League title twice, a Federation Cup, and a Durand Cup. He began his career at Dempo as a striker but after head coach Armando Colaco signed Beto to play as striker, Ahmed was put onto the bench. After being knocked-out of the Federation Cup by Ahmed's old side HAL Colaco changed his tactics and put Beto in the midfield while pairing Ahmed with Nigerian player, Ranti Martins.

=Mohun Bagan=

After the 2006–07 season, Ahmed was offered a contract extension with Dempo but decided to think it over after a lack of playing time. Mohun Bagan secretary, Debasish Dutta, contacted Ahmed and offered him a contract with the Kolkata side. Ahmed was at first pensive about signing for Mohun Bagan since Kolkata clubs were known to pay their players late and overall bad management but after some consideration, Ahmed signed a one-year deal with Mohun Bagan. His first season at Mohun Bagan saw Ahmed play 37 matches and he played mainly as a left winger. He helped the side win the Federation Cup in 2008 and finished as runners up during the 2008–09 I-League season. He was also named as the best player during the Santosh Trophy in 2008.

During the 2010–11 season, Ahmed was named as Mohun Bagan captain, becoming the first Kashmiri captain in the club's history.{{cite news|title=Ishfaq Ahmed|url=https://www.hcilondon.in/indiadigest/Issue320/pdf/7.pdf|access-date=1 August 2016|work=HCI London|date=1 October 2010|archive-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819054209/https://www.hcilondon.in/indiadigest/Issue320/pdf/7.pdf|url-status=live}}

=Later career=

After four years with Mohun Bagan, Ahmed moved back to Goa to sign with I-League side Salgaocar. He helped the side win the Federation Cup in 2011 before moving to Mohun Bagan's Kolkata rivals, East Bengal. He was a regular fixture in the squad for East Bengal during the 2012–13 I-League season as East Bengal finished third.

After the season ended, Ahmed signed a contract with IMG–Reliance to be part of the Indian Super League. Despite signing the contract, Ahmed was left without an I-League side as the clubs agreed not to sign any players who joined the ISL, until Mohammedan, another Kolkata club, signed Ahmed on 30 October 2013.

In July 2014, Ahmed was selected by the Kerala Blasters during the Indian player draft for the Indian Super League.{{cite news|last1=Khan|first1=Abib|title=Kashmir's top footballers to feature in Indian Super League|url=http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/sports/kashmir-s-top-footballers-to-feature-in-indian-super-league/174748.html|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Greater Kashmir|date=24 July 2014|archive-date=18 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160918010733/http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/sports/kashmir-s-top-footballers-to-feature-in-indian-super-league/174748.html|url-status=live}} He made his debut for the side on 30 October 2014 against Pune City. He came on as a 25th-minute substitute for Ramandeep Singh as the Blasters won 2–1.{{cite web|title=Pune City 1-2 Kerala Blasters|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/10/30/india/indian-super-league/pune-city/kerala-blasters/1931487/|website=Soccerway|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506042549/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/10/30/india/indian-super-league/pune-city/kerala-blasters/1931487/|url-status=live}} Ahmed then went on to score the first goal for Kerala Blasters in leg 1 of the 2014 Indian Super League playoffs match-up against Chennaiyin. His 27th-minute strike was the first of a 3–0 rout of the Chennai side.{{cite web|title=Kerala Blasters 3-0 Chennaiyin|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/12/13/india/indian-super-league/kerala-blasters/chennai-titans/1974051/|website=Soccerway|access-date=21 February 2018|archive-date=11 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811170606/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2014/12/13/india/indian-super-league/kerala-blasters/chennai-titans/1974051/|url-status=live}}

After the season ended, Ahmed joined Pune for the I-League campaign on loan before rejoining Kerala Blasters for 2015. For the 2015 season, Ahmed became a player-assistant coach for the Kerala Blasters.{{cite news|last1=Bali|first1=Rahul|title=Ishfaq dons the hat of player-manager in ISL|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2015/06/20/12899022/ishfaq-dons-the-hat-of-player-manager-in-isl|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Goal.com|date=20 June 2015|archive-date=24 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624033953/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2015/06/20/12899022/ishfaq-dons-the-hat-of-player-manager-in-isl|url-status=live}} After the Indian Super League season, on 26 February 2016, it was announced that Ahmed would join another I-League side on loan, Mumbai for the 2015–16 season.{{cite news|last1=Bali|first1=Rahul|title=I-League: Mumbai FC rope in Ishfaq, Nabi and Naoba|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2016/02/26/20724322/i-league-mumbai-fc-rope-in-ishfaq-nabi-and-naoba|access-date=1 August 2016|work=Goal.com|date=26 February 2016|archive-date=10 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161010231732/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2016/02/26/20724322/i-league-mumbai-fc-rope-in-ishfaq-nabi-and-naoba|url-status=live}}

=Mohammedan=

on 26 May 2017, it was announced that Ahmed would join I-League 2nd Division side on loan, Mohammedan for next two season.{{Citation needed|date= June 2022}}

International career

After good performances for Dempo, Ahmed was called up to the India U23 side by head coach, Stephen Constantine, for Olympic qualification. Ahmed scored on his debut for the side against Turkmenistan U23 as India won 1–0. In 2005 he was called for the national team for 2006 World Cup qualification matches but could not find place in first 11.

Coaching career

He started his coaching career with Kerala Blasters as player cum assistant manager in 2015. After retirement from football, he joined Jamshedpur FC as their assistant coach under Steve Coppell, with whom he previously worked at Kerala Blasters.{{Cite web|date=2017-09-04|title="Tiri's experience will be key" – Ishfaq Ahmed|url=https://www.fcjamshedpur.com/news/tiris-experience-will-be-key-ishfaq-ahmed|access-date=2020-07-03|website=Jamshedpur Football Club|language=en|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706013002/https://www.fcjamshedpur.com/news/tiris-experience-will-be-key-ishfaq-ahmed|url-status=live}} After Coppell's departure from Jamshedpur he also left the club. In 2019 Ishfaq returned to Kerala Blasters as their assistant coach under the newly appointed head coach Eelco Schattorie.{{Cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=ISL: Kerala Blasters retains Ishfaq Ahmed for three more years|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-super-league-ishfaq-ahmed-kerala-blasters-football-news/article31659106.ece|access-date=2020-07-03|website=Sportstar|date=23 May 2020 |language=en|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704132558/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-super-league-ishfaq-ahmed-kerala-blasters-football-news/article31659106.ece|url-status=live}}

In 2020 he extended his contract with the Blasters for another 3 years.{{Cite web|last=Sportstar|first=Team|title=ISL: Kerala Blasters retains Ishfaq Ahmed for three more years|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-super-league-ishfaq-ahmed-kerala-blasters-football-news/article31659106.ece|access-date=2020-08-02|website=Sportstar|date=23 May 2020 |language=en|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704132558/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-super-league-ishfaq-ahmed-kerala-blasters-football-news/article31659106.ece|url-status=live}} On 17 February 2021, Ishfaq took over as the interim head coach at the Blasters after the head coach Kibu Vicuna and the club decided to part away on mutual consent. He managed the club in the last two games of the season.{{Cite web|date=2021-02-17|title=Kerala Blasters FC and Kibu Vicuna Mutually Part Ways|url=https://keralablastersfc.in/kerala-blasters-fc-and-kibu-vicuna-mutually-part-ways/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Kerala Blasters FC|language=en-US|archive-date=5 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210305035600/https://keralablastersfc.in/kerala-blasters-fc-and-kibu-vicuna-mutually-part-ways/|url-status=dead}}

After the Blasters' 2022–23 season, the club announced that they have mutually parted ways with Ishfaq as their assistant coach.{{Cite web |last=Sportstar |first=Team |date=2023-04-18 |title=Kerala Blasters FC mutually part ways with Ishfaq Ahmed |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-news/kerala-blasters-fc-part-ways-ishfaq-ahmed-assistant-coach/article66750758.ece |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=sportstar.thehindu.com |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425095704/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-news/kerala-blasters-fc-part-ways-ishfaq-ahmed-assistant-coach/article66750758.ece |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-04-18 |title=Kerala Blasters FC Announce Departure of Assistant Coach Ishfaq Ahmed |url=https://www.news18.com/football/kerala-blasters-fc-announce-departure-of-assistant-coach-ishfaq-ahmed-7577665.html |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=25 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230425103122/https://www.news18.com/football/kerala-blasters-fc-announce-departure-of-assistant-coach-ishfaq-ahmed-7577665.html |url-status=live }}

In October 2023, he joined I-League club Real Kashmir as new head coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.greaterkashmir.com/sports/rkfc-rajasthan-united-fc-to-face-off-in-i-league-match-today|title=RKFC, Rajasthan United FC to face off in I-League match today|website=greaterkashmir.com|access-date=28 October 2023|agency=GK News Service|publisher=Greater Kashmir|location=Srinagar|date=28 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028101744/https://www.greaterkashmir.com/sports/rkfc-rajasthan-united-fc-to-face-off-in-i-league-match-today|archive-date=28 October 2023}}{{Cite web|url=https://kashmirobserver.net/2023/10/27/real-kashmir-play-rufc-in-i-league-opener-today/|title=Real Kashmir Play RUFC In I-League Opener Today|website=kashmirobserver.net|access-date=28 October 2023|agency=Observer News Service|publisher=Kashmir Observer|location=Srinagar|date=27 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028104420/https://kashmirobserver.net/2023/10/27/real-kashmir-play-rufc-in-i-league-opener-today/|archive-date=28 October 2023}} On 28 October, in the 2023–24 season opener, his team earned a 2–0 victory over Rajasthan United.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-i-league-2023-24-real-kashmir-fc-beat-rajasthan-united-fc-kickstart-campaign-easy-win|title=I-League 2023—24: Real Kashmir FC beat Rajasthan United FC to kickstart campaign with an easy win|date=29 October 2023|access-date=29 October 2023|work=Sportskeeda|first1=Vishal|last1=Rathi|archive-date=29 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029062557/https://www.sportskeeda.com/indian-football/news-i-league-2023-24-real-kashmir-fc-beat-rajasthan-united-fc-kickstart-campaign-easy-win}}

AlFF committee member

On 23 March 2017, Ishfaq was selected to the All India Football Federation's Technical Committee member.{{Cite web|last=Ganesan|first=Uthra|title=Shyam Thapa replaces Bhutia as AIFF technical committee chairman|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/shyam-thapa-replaces-bhutia-as-aiff-technical-committee-chairman/article17613885.ece|access-date=2020-07-03|website=Sportstar|date=23 March 2017 |language=en|archive-date=4 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704003636/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/indian-football/shyam-thapa-replaces-bhutia-as-aiff-technical-committee-chairman/article17613885.ece|url-status=live}}

References

External links

[http://www.indiansuperleague.com/kerala-blasters-fc/squad/midfielder-10632-ishfaq-ahmed-playerprofile Indian Super League Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902184307/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/kerala-blasters-fc/squad/midfielder-10632-ishfaq-ahmed-playerprofile |date=2 September 2016 }}.

{{Navboxes

|title=Ishfaq Ahmed managerial positions

|list1=

}}

Category:1983 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Srinagar

Category:Indian men's footballers

Category:Hindustan Aeronautics Limited SC players

Category:Dempo SC players

Category:Mohun Bagan Super Giant players

Category:Salgaocar FC players