Andrew Oakley, who has been named assistant coach of the newly launched I-League team Chennai City FC, is no stranger to the city. The 38-year-old Australian was player-cum-coach of the Madras Eagles team in 2006 in the Chennai Football Association first division league.
He follows the I-League quite religiously.
Moreover, he has a post graduate degree in football coaching and has completed his Asian Football Confederation A-Licence course.
Andrew has his base in Bangkok, working at the grassroots level for the last three years before he was roped in by CCFC head coach Robin Charles Raja.
Andrew said working with the team has been great and it now has to step up its training.
“In the short time we have, we have to work hard and be smart,” he said.
Robin said: “I first heard about him (Andrew) in the USA in 2001 when I was coach with the Charlotte Eagles team, a USA-A league team. We became close in 2006 when he came to the city as a player-cum-coach for Madras Eagles. Ever since, we’ve been in touch.”
The head coach heaped praise on his deputy. “I knew that he had coaching interest. He is very knowledgeable, has been proving it right now; you can ask the players. He is a down-to-earth person.”
Robin said Andrew had been a big strength to him with his valuable inputs. “He is a thorough professional,” said the 50-year-old. Robin said he was looking for a few more signings for a couple of positions. “Time has been short. We hardly had 20 days to pick the team and practise together. But we have made the best of the time available to us and the team management has been a huge support. We will do our best,” he said.
