Sukhwinder Singh (football manager)

In club football, Singh appeared with various Punjabi teams, and represented Punjab Police at the 1971 edition of Asian Club Championship.{{cite web|first=Enda|last=Mulcahy|date=26 December 2000|url=http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/ascup71.html#cc|title=Asian Club Competitions 1971|website=RSSSF.com|access-date=19 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073033/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesa/ascup71.html#cc|archive-date=4 March 2016}} In preliminary round (group allocation matches), they played against 1969–70 Kuwaiti Premier League champions Al-Arabi on 22 March 1971, and lost 1–8. After being placed in Group B, they suffered defeats in all three games, 2–0 to Bangkok Bank, 4–1 to Maccabi Tel Aviv, and 6–1 to Aliyat Al-Shorta.{{Cite web|last1=Mukherjee|first1=Soham|last2= Easwar|first2=Nisanth V|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-clubs-in-afc-champions-league-afc-cup/3dj1qowtkdxc1pzji71c49vnz|title=How have Indian clubs fared in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup?|date=1 April 2020|access-date=23 March 2021|website=goal.com|publisher=Goal|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415045019/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-clubs-in-afc-champions-league-afc-cup/3dj1qowtkdxc1pzji71c49vnz}} He scored a goal in that tournament.

Singh later represented Punjab at the Santosh Trophy and won first title in 1974–75 season, when the team was managed by Jarnail Singh.{{cite web|url=https://thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-jarnail-singh/|title=Legends Of Indian Football: Jarnail Singh|date=4 April 2011|access-date=7 October 2022|first=Somnath|last=Sengupta|website=thehardtackle.com|publisher=The Hard Tackle|location=Mumbai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107101542/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/legends-of-indian-football-jarnail-singh/|archive-date=7 January 2022}} They finished the tournament having scored 46 goals.

Singh managed the Indian senior team from 1999 to 2001 alongside managing JCT FC from 1995 to 2001.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19980202-with-over-rs-1-cr-as-prize-money-for-philips-league-local-clubs-sign-up-foreign-players-825596-1998-02-02|title=With over Rs 1 cr as prize money for Philips League, local clubs sign up foreign players|date=2 February 1998|access-date=1 February 2022|first=Binoo|last=K. John|website=www.indiatoday.in|publisher=India Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220201101437/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19980202-with-over-rs-1-cr-as-prize-money-for-philips-league-local-clubs-sign-up-foreign-players-825596-1998-02-02|archive-date=1 February 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://theawayend.co/2021/09/22/was-inder-singh-indias-greatest-forward/|title=Was Inder Singh India's greatest forward?|website=theawayend.co|publisher=Kalpanthu's Vuvuzela|agency=The Away End|date=22 September 2021|access-date=28 October 2022|first=K. G.|last=Raghunandanan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127151014/https://theawayend.co/2021/09/22/was-inder-singh-indias-greatest-forward/|archive-date=27 January 2022}} He joined JCT as head coach during the managership of Inder Singh. The club at that time became one of the most successful clubs in the country, winning Federation Cup twice in 1995 and 1996,{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/indiacuphist.html|title=India – List of Federation Cup Winners|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140217082516/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/indiacuphist.html|access-date=12 December 2021|archive-date=17 February 2014|website=RSSSF}}{{cite web|url=https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6148|title=From the history book, roll of honour|date=10 January 2015|access-date=12 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109234522/https://www.the-aiff.com/news-center-details.htm?id=6148|archive-date=9 January 2015|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|url-status=dead}} inaugural National Football League in 1996–97,{{Cite web|first=Sukalp|last=Sharma|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/indias-biggest-league/626797/|title=Indias biggest league|date=31 May 2010|access-date=16 July 2021|website=financialexpress.com|publisher=The Financial Express|archive-date=18 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718090105/https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/indias-biggest-league/626797/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.iloveindia.com/sports/football/clubs/jct-mills.html|title=JCT Mills – JCT Mills Indian Football Club – JCT Mills Club Football India|publisher=iloveindia.com|access-date=2014-11-06|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718235905/http://www.iloveindia.com/sports/football/clubs/jct-mills.html}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india97.html#nfl1|title=India 1996/97 – NFL|website=RSSSF|date=13 February 2014|first1=Arunava|last1=Chaudhuri|first2=Mikael|last2=Jönsson|first3=Josef|last3=Bobrowsky|archive-date=18 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018092132/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesi/india97.html}} IFA Shield in 1996.{{cite web |last1=Sengupta |first1=Somnath |title=The Glorious History Of IFA Shield |url=http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/the-glorious-history-of-ifa-shield/ |website=thehardtackle.com |publisher=The Hard Tackle |date=8 March 2011 |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-date=9 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709181925/http://www.thehardtackle.com/2011/the-glorious-history-of-ifa-shield/ }} He also guided them in continental tournament at the 1996–97 and reached second round.{{Cite web|author=Mukherjee, Soham; Easwar, Nisanth V|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-clubs-in-afc-champions-league-afc-cup/3dj1qowtkdxc1pzji71c49vnz|title=How have Indian clubs fared in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup?|date=1 April 2020|access-date=23 March 2021|website=goal.com|publisher=Goal|archive-date=15 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415045019/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/india-clubs-in-afc-champions-league-afc-cup/3dj1qowtkdxc1pzji71c49vnz}}

His notable achievements include the SAFF Cup 1999 win with the Indian senior team, the SAFF Cup 2009 with the India U-23 team{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2773/saff-cup/2009/12/16/1690072/2009-saff-cup-i-always-knew-we-could-win-sukhwinder-singh |title=2009 SAFF Cup: I Always Knew We Could Win - Sukhwinder Singh |date=16 December 2009 |website= goal.com|accessdate=22 February 2010}} and the 1996–97 National Football League victory with JCT FC. He last managed I-League side Churchill Brothers.{{cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/sukhwinder-singh-resigns-as-churchill-brothers-technical-director|title=Sukhwinder Singh resigns as I-League champions Churchill Brothers Technical Director|website=sportskeeda.com|publisher=Sportskeeda|date=16 October 2013|access-date=19 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221113048/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/sukhwinder-singh-resigns-as-churchill-brothers-technical-director|archive-date=21 December 2021}}

Sukhwinder Singh is best remembered for India's performance in 2002 World Cup Qualifiers, where they defeated teams like United Arab Emirates, Brunei and Yemen. India secured 11 points from 6 matches, same as Yemen, but finished behind them due to an inferior goal difference.{{Cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|title=The Indian Senior Team at the 2002 World Cup Qualifiers|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2002worldcupq.html|access-date=18 January 2021|website=indianfootball.de|publisher=Indian Football|archive-date=19 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819165359/http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/2002worldcupq.html}} Only UAE qualified for the next round. Even though they did not make it to the second round, India's performance was commendable.

India started the campaign with solitary goal (by Jules Alberto) win over the mighty UAE at Bangalore. The men in blue defeated Brunei twice, one of which was a lopsided 5–0 win at home. They successfully held Yemen to draws in both the matches. They lost only one game in the entire qualifying phase which was against UAE in an away encounter. If India had managed to beat Yemen in at least one of the ties, they would have surpassed UAE and qualified for the next stages.{{cite web |first1=Ritabrata |last1=Banerjee |title=4 instances when India could have played in FIFA World Cup |date=12 March 2015 |website=sportskeeda.com |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/4-instances-india-could-played-fifa-world-cup |publisher=Sportskeeda |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131224003/https://www.sportskeeda.com/slideshow/4-instances-india-could-played-fifa-world-cup |archive-date=31 January 2023 }}

In July 2000, Sukhwinder Singh managed India during their historic England-tour, where they played three matches against English Premier League sides Fulham, West Bromwich Albion, and arch-rival Bangladesh.{{cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=https://www.arunfoot.com/july-2000-when-team-india-came-on-a-historic-trip-to-england/|title=July 2000: When Team India came on a historic trip to England!|website=www.arunfoot.com|date=19 July 2020|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031141711/https://www.arunfoot.com/july-2000-when-team-india-came-on-a-historic-trip-to-england/|archive-date=31 October 2021}}{{cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/857704.stm|title=BBC SPORT {{!}} FOOTBALL Indian tour ends on high|website=news.bbc.co.uk|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 July 2000|access-date=26 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201212203742/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/857704.stm|archive-date=12 December 2020}}

Singh later went on to manage Pailan Arrows, and also became technical director of the club.{{cite web|title=Football coach Desmond Bulpin sacked by AIFF|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/football/football-coach-desmond-bulpin-sacked-by-aiff_726015.html|work=Zee News|access-date=31 August 2012|archive-date=20 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620190336/http://zeenews.india.com/news/football/football-coach-desmond-bulpin-sacked-by-aiff_726015.html}}{{cite web|title=Pailan Arrows 1–1 HAL – Hamza Wins A Point For The Away Side|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/69218/pailan-arrows-vs-hal-bangalore/report|work=goal.com|access-date=6 August 2012|archive-date=14 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111214031937/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/69218/pailan-arrows-vs-hal-bangalore/report}}{{cite web|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/xnKJleyLIrReFHjpIYSx9M/Suspects-vs-outsiders.html|date=19 October 2011|access-date=8 January 2023|title=Indian football: Suspects vs outsiders|first1=Mario|last1=Rodrigues|website=livemint.com|publisher=LiveMint News|location=Mumbai|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180601004022/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/xnKJleyLIrReFHjpIYSx9M/Suspects-vs-outsiders.html|archive-date=1 June 2018}} He guided the team in 2011 Indian Federation Cup, in which they finished second in group stages behind Salgaocar.{{cite web|title=Salgaocar beat Pailan Arrows to enter Federation Cup semis|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/Salgaocar-beat-Pailan-Arrows-to-enter-Federation-Cup-semis-/articleshow/10082752.cms|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405030501/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-09-22/top-stories/30189224_1_mumbai-fc-salgaocar-sc-federation-cup|url-status=live|archive-date=5 April 2012|work=The Times of India|access-date=31 August 2012}}{{cite web|last=lahiri|first=Debjit|title=I-League: Pailan Arrows 1–3 Mohun Bagan AC – Odafa Okolie Hat-trick Powers A Second Half Bagan Rally|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/69203/pailan-arrows-vs-mohun-bagan/report|work=Goal.com|access-date=31 August 2012|archive-date=12 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120412134154/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/69203/pailan-arrows-vs-mohun-bagan/report}} In February 2012, he parted ways with the club.{{cite web|last=Bali|first=Rahul|title=I-League: Sukhwinder Singh resigns from Pailan Arrows|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2012/02/07/2890971/i-league-sukhwinder-singh-resigns-from-pailan-arrows|website=www.goal.com|publisher=Goal|access-date=31 August 2012|archive-date=26 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426102437/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/1064/i-league/2012/02/07/2890971/i-league-sukhwinder-singh-resigns-from-pailan-arrows}}

In July 2018, then defending champions of I-League – Minerva Punjab roped in Singh as club's technical director.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/minerva-punjab-fc-rope-in-sukhwinder-as-technical-director/articleshow/65028498.cms|title=Minerva Punjab FC rope in Sukhwinder as technical director|date=17 July 2018|access-date=26 September 2023|location=Chandigarh|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|publisher=The Times of India|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718015832/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/minerva-punjab-fc-rope-in-sukhwinder-as-technical-director/articleshow/65028498.cms|archive-date=18 July 2018|first=Pratyush|last=Raj|url-status=live|agency=TNN}} He was replaced by Northern Irish manager Paul Munster for the post in August.{{Cite web | title = Paul Munster joins Indian champions | first = Steven | last = Crawford | website=newsletter.co.uk |publisher= The News Letter | date = 8 August 2018 | access-date = 17 August 2018 | url = https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/paul-munster-joins-indian-champions-1-8595180 | archive-date = 17 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180817161259/https://www.newsletter.co.uk/sport/football/paul-munster-joins-indian-champions-1-8595180}}{{Cite web|url=https://fnx.network/interview-with-paul-munster/|title=Interview with Paul Munster|website=FNX.Network|date=6 December 2018|publisher=Shoot The Defence|language=en-AU|access-date=2018-12-07|archive-date=7 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207163123/https://fnx.network/interview-with-paul-munster/}}{{Cite web|url=http://minervapunjabfc.com/team/minerva-punjab-fc/|title=Minerva Punjab FC|website=Apollo Minerva Punjab FC|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-07|archive-date=6 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606115335/https://minervapunjabfc.com/team/minerva-punjab-fc/}}

Singh immigrated to Canada in 2021 to live with his son, who had already been settled there.{{cite web|url=https://www.newsclick.in/legendary-football-coach-sukhwinder-singh-shifts-canada-good |title=Legendary Football Coach Sukhwinder Singh Shifts to Canada for Good |publisher=News Click India |website=newsclick.in |date=21 May 2021 |access-date=2023-09-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130095420/https://www.newsclick.in/legendary-football-coach-sukhwinder-singh-shifts-canada-good |archive-date=30 January 2023 }} He has many other relatives in Canada, including Indo-Canadian businessman Garry Sangha.

India

• Afghanistan Republic Day Cup third place: 1976, 1977{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/jasson76.html|title=Afghanistan Republic Day Festival Cup (Kabul, Afghanistan): Palmares|website=rsssf.com|publisher=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation|first=Neil|last=Morrison|date=2008|access-date=26 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002123509/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesj/jasson76.html|archive-date=2 October 2022}}
• King's Cup third place: 1977{{cite web |title=The Senior National Team at 1977 Kings Cup |url=http://www.indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1977kingscup.html |website=indiafootball.de |publisher=IndiaFootball |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819214653/http://indianfootball.de/specials/india/indianteam/1977kingscup.html |archive-date=19 August 2016 |url-status=live }}

Punjab

• Santosh Trophy: 1974–75, 1980–81

JCT

• National Football League: 1996–97{{cite news |title=Fairplay bonus for JCT |url=http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19970320/07950253.html |access-date=18 October 2018 |work=The Indian Express |date=20 March 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970421012412/http://www.expressindia.com/ie/daily/19970320/07950253.html |archive-date=21 April 1997}}{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/the-league-of-foreign-coaches/articleshow/3537878.cms|title=The League of foreign coaches|website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com|first1=Marcus|last1=Mergulhao|publisher=The Times of India|agency=TNN|location=Margao|date=29 September 2008|access-date=28 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240616070718/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/the-league-of-foreign-coaches/articleshow/3537878.cms|archive-date=16 June 2024}}

• Punjab State Super Football League:{{cite web|title=Super League History|url=http://www.kolkatafootball.com/punjab_football_league_2014-15/#horizontalTab2|website=Kolkata Football|access-date=31 October 2014|archive-date=1 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141101022001/http://www.kolkatafootball.com/punjab_football_league_2014-15/#horizontalTab2}} 1995; runners-up: 1999
• Federation Cup: 1995, 1996
• Durand Cup: 1996
• IFA Shield: 1996
• Rovers Cup: 1997[http://www.jctfootball.com/aboutUs/recordsAndStats/listofWinners/roversCupListOfWinners.aspx?a=2 JCT Mills FC in Rovers Cup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306102224/http://www.jctfootball.com/aboutUs/recordsAndStats/listofWinners/roversCupListOfWinners.aspx?a=2 |date=6 March 2021 }}. jctfootball.com. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
• Indian Super Cup runner-up: 1997{{cite web |title=Indian Super Cup |url=http://the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2748|website=the-aiff.com|publisher=All India Football Federation|access-date=22 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110925102945/http://www.the-aiff.com/pages/news/index.php?N_Id=2748 |archive-date=2011-09-25 |url-status=dead }}
• Gurdarshan Memorial Cup:{{cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/gurdarshancup.html|title=List of Winners/Runners-Up of the Gurdarshan Memorial Football Tournament: Punjab|website=indianfootbal.de|publisher=Indian Football Network|access-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023054252/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/gurdarshancup.html|archive-date=23 October 2020|url-status=dead}} 1995, 2001{{Cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/seasons/2002-03s.html|title=2002/03 Season in Indian Football|website=indianfootball.de|access-date=2 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107085227/http://www.indianfootball.de/seasons/2002-03s.html|archive-date=7 November 2021|publisher=Indian Football Network|url-status=dead}}
• Sait Nagjee Football Tournament: 1995{{cite web|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saitnagjeetrophy.html|title=List of Winners/Runners-Up of the Sait Nagjee Trophy|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|website=www.indianfootball.de|publisher=Indian Football Network|access-date=7 September 2015|archive-date=28 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928211306/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/saitnagjeetrophy.html|url-status=dead}}
• Scissors Cup: 1995{{cite web|first=Arunava|last=Chaudhuri|url=http://www.indianfootball.de/data/scissorscup.html|title=List of Winners/Runners-Up of the Scissors Cup: Kerala|website=indianfootball.de|publisher=Indian Football Network|access-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024223324/http://www.indianfootball.de/data/scissorscup.html|archive-date=24 October 2020|url-status=dead}}
• Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh Memorial Trophy runner-up: 1998

India

• SAFF Championship: 1999

India U23

• SAFF Championship: 2009

Awards and accolades

• Dhyan Chand Award: 2020{{cite press release|title=National Sports Awards 2020 announced – Rohit Sharma, Mariyappan T., Manik Batra, Ms Vinesh and Ms Rani bag the Khel Ratna|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1647633|publisher=Press Information Bureau, India|access-date=21 August 2020|date=21 August 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822113113/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1647633|archive-date=22 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/national-sports-awards-aiff-lauds-award-winners/article32424053.ece/amp/|title=National Sports Awards — AIFF lauds award winners|website=thehindu.com|publisher=The Hindu|agency=PTI|location=New Delhi|date=24 August 2020|access-date=4 January 2024|first1=|last1=|archive-date=27 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200827205618/https://www.thehindu.com/sport/football/national-sports-awards-aiff-lauds-award-winners/article32424053.ece}}

{{Portal|India|Association football|Biography}}

• History of the India national football team
• List of India national football team managers

{{Reflist}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20200919070148/http://www.jctfootball.com/team/playersProfile.aspx?ProfileCategoryID=11&ProfileID=6&FirstName=Sukhvinder&DateOfBirth=07-06-1949&OrderNumber=11 Sukhwinder Singh profile] at JCT (archived on 19 September 2020)
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100103161543/https://www.the-aiff.com/pages/team/players.php?plyrId=427 Sukhwinder Singh profile] at the-aiff.com (archived on 3 January 2010)

{{India national football team managers}}

{{Indian Arrows managers}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Singh, Sukhvinder}}

Category:Indian men's footballers

Category:India men's international footballers

Category:Indian football coaches

Category:Indian football managers

Category:India national football team managers

Category:Indian Arrows managers

Category:Churchill Brothers FC Goa managers

Category:I-League managers

Category:Footballers from Hoshiarpur

Category:1949 births

Category:Living people

Category:Men's association football defenders