Spotlighting legendary coaches from India and abroad whose vision and methods helped shape some of sport’s most iconic athletes.
By Nichola Marie
In sport, the moment of glory is almost always solitary — a bat raised, a medal placed, a goal roared into the night. But every such triumph rests on a longer, quieter journey shaped by a coach who believed early, pushed hard, and guided patiently. Coaches are the unseen architects of excellence. They refine technique, yes, but more importantly, they build temperament, resilience, and self-belief.
Across eras and arenas, the greatest coaches have known that talent is fragile. It needs discipline, direction, and protection. Some are stern taskmasters; others, gentle mentors; many evolve into lifelong guides. What unites them is the ability to spot potential before it becomes obvious — and to demand standards even when results lag behind.
This feature explores some of the most influential coaches in India and beyond — men whose philosophies differed, but whose impact endures. Their legacies live on in the champions they shaped, and in the generations inspired by their methods.
Ramakant Achrekar (Cricket, India)
Mentored: Sachin Tendulkar
At Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, amid dusty pitches and uneven bounce, Ramakant Achrekar quietly forged one of the greatest sporting stories the world has known. A schoolteacher by profession and a disciplinarian by temperament, Achrekar believed cricket was as much about character as it was about runs.
His most famous protégé, Sachin Tendulkar, was introduced to him as a restless, energetic child. Achrekar saw something special — but he also saw flaws. He insisted on long practice sessions, technical precision, and mental endurance. The now-legendary coin-on-the-stumps challenge was Achrekar’s way of teaching focus: If Sachin survived the session unbeaten, the coin was his; if not, it went to the bowler.
Tendulkar later recalled those sessions as transformative. “Sir taught me discipline, humility and respect for the game. He shaped my thinking far more than my batting,” he once said. Achrekar discouraged early flamboyance, preferring solid defence and patience. When Sachin was dropped from his school team, it was Achrekar who advised a school change — a turning point in Indian cricket history.
Achrekar passed away in 2019, but his legacy lives on every time Tendulkar speaks of values over records. In mentoring one boy, Achrekar ended up shaping a nation’s cricketing soul.
Pullela Gopichand (Badminton, India)
Mentored: PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Srikanth Kidambi
When Pullela Gopichand transitioned from champion player to coach, his ambition was never modest. He did not want to train a few winners; he wanted to transform Indian badminton. His academy in Hyderabad became the crucible where that vision took shape.
Gopichand’s coaching style is intense and uncompromising. Training schedules are demanding; expectations, relentless. Yet athletes repeatedly credit him for their mental toughness. Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has spoken of his role in her journey: “He pushes you beyond your comfort zone. He makes you believe that you belong at the top.”
Under Gopichand, India produced world-class shuttlers across genders and formats — Saina Nehwal, Srikanth Kidambi, and several others. He emphasised fitness, discipline, and long-term planning, often at personal financial cost. “You cannot build champions without sacrifice,” Gopichand has said.
More than medals, his contribution lies in institutionbuilding. By creating a profeswsional ecosystem, Gopichand ensured that excellence in badminton was not an exception but a system-driven outcome.
Bob Bowman (Swimming, USA)
Mentored: Michael Phelps
Michael Phelps’ record-breaking Olympic success often drew global awe — but behind the medals stood Bob Bowman, a coach whose philosophy revolved around preparation and control. Bowman believed greatness was not spontaneous; it was engineered through obsessive attention to detail.
Bowman meticulously planned training cycles, race strategies, and mental conditioning. He trained Phelps to visualise races down to every stroke and turn. When Phelps won eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Bowman remained composed. “The medals were a byproduct. Execution was everything,” he later remarked.
Their relationship was intense and at times strained, but deeply rooted in trust. Phelps acknowledged Bowman’s influence candidly: “He believed in me during moments when I struggled the most.”
Bowman’s greatest achievement was teaching Phelps consistency under pressure. In doing so, he demonstrated how elite coaching blends science, psychology, and unwavering belief.
Sir Alex Ferguson (Football, Scotland)
Mentored: David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs
Sir Alex Ferguson’s reign at Manchester United stands as one of the most remarkable coaching tenures in sport. Over 26 years, he did not merely build winning teams — he developed generations of players who thrived under pressure.
Ferguson’s strength lay in manmanagement. He nurtured Ryan Giggs from teenager to club legend, transformed Cristiano Ronaldo from raw talent into a disciplined athlete, and instilled accountability in stars like David Beckham. “Talent is important,” Ferguson once said, “but character wins titles.”
Known for his fiery temper, Ferguson was equally known for loyalty. Players often described him as a father figure who demanded excellence but protected fiercely. Beckham later reflected, “He made you better because he made you responsible.”
Ferguson’s success across eras proved that leadership, adaptability, and psychological insight are as vital as tactics in elite sport.
Anatoly Tarasov (Ice Hockey, USSR)
Mentored: Vladislav Tretiak, Soviet national teams
Anatoly Tarasov is widely regarded as the architect of Soviet ice hockey dominance. At a time when the sport emphasised physicality, Tarasov introduced creativity, conditioning, and teamwork.
He trained players like Olympic champion goalkeeper Vladislav Tretiak to value mental strength above all. “Tarasov taught us to think, not just react,” Tretiak once said. Tarasov believed that individual brilliance must always serve the collective.
His methods were demanding and often controversial, but the results were transformative. Tarasov’s influence reshaped global hockey, leaving a legacy that extended beyond medals to philosophy.
Phil Jackson (Basketball, USA)
Mentored: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant
Phil Jackson’s coaching success stemmed from his deep understanding of human psychology. Coaching superstars like Michael Jordan and the late Kobe Bryant required not just tactical acumen but emotional intelligence.
Jackson introduced mindfulness and Zen principles into training, helping players manage ego and pressure. Jordan acknowledged this influence, calling Jackson “the one coach who understood how to channel my competitiveness.” Kobe Bryant, initially resistant, later credited Jackson with teaching him patience and trust.
With 11 NBA championships, Jackson proved that managing minds can be as decisive as managing games.
Amol Muzumdar (Cricket, India)
Mentored: Indian Women’s Cricket Team
Amol Muzumdar’s journey in Indian cricket has been defined by quiet resolve and unwavering belief. A prodigious talent who scored a record 260 on his Ranji Trophy debut and went on to amass over 11,000 first-class runs, Muzumdar was long regarded as one of the finest batters never to represent India at the international level. Yet it was as head coach of the Indian women’s cricket team that his long-deferred dream found its most powerful expression.
Appointed in October 2023, Muzumdar inherited a side rich in talent but still searching for consistency on the world stage. His leadership style was calm, empathetic, and purposeful. He emphasised role clarity, mental conditioning, and trust — encouraging players to express themselves freely while remaining tactically disciplined. For Muzumdar, preparation was as much emotional as it was technical.
That philosophy bore historic results in November 2025, when India clinched its maiden ICC Women’s World Cup title. From a pressure-filled semifinal against Australia to a composed final victory over South Africa, the team played with confidence and cohesion — clear hallmarks of his influence.
The Enduring Power Of The Coach
While athletes lift trophies, coaches build foundations. They invest years in moments that may never make headlines. Across sports and cultures, these mentors remind us that greatness is nurtured, not accidental.
In celebrating achievers, it is worth pausing to acknowledge those who stood quietly behind them — guiding, correcting, and believing long before the world applauded. Their influence endures long after the final whistle.
