The Kalyani Group announced the appointment of Stuart Watkiss as the head coach for the group’s football club which will participate in the 2014-15 season of the I-League slated to begin on January 17, 2015, the club informed in a statement.

The 48-year-old Watkiss who holds the UEFA A and B coaching licenses will join the club from Grimsby Town, a team playing in the Conference Premier Division in the United Kingdom. Watkiss was most recently Grimsby Town’s youth team manager. The 48-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience borne from a long playing and managerial career.

Having made his debut in the 1984-85 season with his hometown side Wolverhampton Wanderers, the imposing Watkiss has more than 450 appearances to his name with clubs like Crewe Alexandra and Mansfield Town among others.

Watkiss took over as Mansfield Town’s youth team coach, a fruitful appointment as 10 of his youth team players progressed into the first team over the three years he spent at the club. He had further success at the club as he led the first team to promotion to Division Two. Watkiss has had spells at Kidderminster Harriers and Grimsby Town. He has also served for three years as first team coach at current Premier League side Hull City.

Announcing Watkiss’ appointment, Amit Kalyani, Executive Director of the Kalyani Group said that it was Watkiss’ keen eye for talent coupled with his prowess at moulding young players into first team regulars that led the club to opt for him.

“Stuart has enormous coaching experience, a factor that can be very helpful for our side,” he said.

“His record with young upcoming players in all his previous assignments is very impressive and coupled with his ability of getting the best out of his team makes him the right choice as we aim to make a strong start in the I-League. He brings along enormous coaching experience and a vision that I believe will set the club in the right direction. We are excited to have Stuart on board,” he added.

Watkiss said it was the idea of building a club and football philosophy from scratch that was the clinching factor behind him accepting the job.

“I am very impressed by the whole project as well as the Kalyani Group’s ethics and values,” he said.

“My passion is developing new players and helping footballers realise their potential. Winning football matches is the ultimate goal but creating a culture of excellence and commitment is something that I value and this assignment allows me to do that,” he added.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)