Hero ISL experience has made me a better coach and person: Bengaluru FC’s Simon Grayson

Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson reckons the Hero ISL experience made him a better coach and person. Grayson, who was coaching in India for the first time, took the Blues to the finals of the Hero ISL 2022-23 but they could not cross the last hurdle against ATK Mohun Bagan as they lost on penalties.

After getting off to a slow start in the first phase of the tournament, Bengaluru FC were able to turn the tables in the second half. The Blues created history as they went on to win nine matches on the bounce in the league stage.

Subsequently, they bested Kerala Blasters FC in the knockout game while they stunned the League Shield champions Mumbai City FC in the semifinals.

Ergo, Simon Grayson was able to get the best out of his players and guided them on the right track. The Blues also qualified for the finals of Hero Super Cup but once again could not go all the way in the tournament as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Odisha FC.

“I came to Bengaluru FC with an open mind of not really knowing what to expect, again, professionally and personally. But what I can is, from day one, everybody has made me feel so welcome within the football club,” Grayson said on BFC TV.

“Overall, it’s been an amazing adventure and experience. I certainly won’t ever regret coming. That’s why I said to people, if other people had the opportunity to come to India professionally and personally as well, to explore the country, I would encourage it without a shadow of a doubt,” he added further.

The Englishman also shared his experience of traveling to famous places in India and said it was an unbelievable experience.

“I’ve been very fortunate that with football we’ve been able to see go to different cities. When we have had a little bit of spare time being able to go off and sample different cultures and museums and the Taj Mahal. Up in Kolkata, I saw the Queen Victoria Memorial. In Delhi, a few other things as well. It has been an unbelievable experience and if you throw in the mix of the football side, it’s been one hell of a year,” Grayson stated.

The 53-year-old from Ripon added he is still learning about football in India and wants to keep delivering for the club.

“I’m still learning about the football in India. You have to learn every day and learn from good and bad experiences. Be open-minded, as I mentioned, to embrace new ideas from different people, but also test myself from a coaching point of view where I was completely out of my comfort zone, not knowing what the players were really going to be like on a one to one basis, what makes them become better players emotionally and physically and tactically as well,” Grayson opined.