PSV Eindhoven youth coach set to join India colts

The growing Dutch influence on Indian football is likely to increase further. Dutchman Raymond Libregts is set to become the coach of the India under-22 side as well as I-League side Pailan Arrows, which is a youth development side of the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

Libregts, son of former Netherlands coach Thijs, is currently the youth team coach of Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven. It is learnt that Libregts has already had meetings with top AIFF officials and technical director Rob Baan is also keen to have him on board. Orange Sports Forum (OSF), who provide technical assistance to the AIFF, are closely associated to PSV Eindhoven.

Libregts, 47, is in Bangalore at the moment, where the under-22 selection camp for the Asia Cup qualifiers got underway on Wednesday. He will proceed to Kolkata on Thursday and inspect the facilities at Pailan Arrows. He will sign a contract only after he expresses satisfaction over the infrastructure at his disposal, sources said.

“He has left his position as the manager of the under-19 team of the PSV Eindhoven. So, at present he is looking for new opportunities. He has already met (AIFF general secretary) Kushal Das and Baan. The question is whether he will be comfortable working in India,” the source added.

Libregts has an astounding record with PSV under-19. In his one-year spell with the Dutch club, he hasn’t lost a single match. He has won 75 per cent of the matches while drawing 25 per cent.