Shrestha, 50, is considered as a clever coach who can read into opponents´ strategy and change his strategy as per the need of the game. [break]
He is the only and first coach to win three titles in a row in modern top-class domestic football league. And, league football is considered to be the real test for a team, players and the coach.
"His strategy has worked very well so far. His greatest ability is to know the strong point and weaknesses of individual players," said Parbat Pandey, senior player of the Police team and former national player.
"His strategy has suited Police very well. Maybe, he is lucky. Besides, he takes suggestion from players as well," Pandey said.
Police which started playing top class football from 2011 BS, quit football after winning the title in 2012 BS and 2013 BS league under the name of Police Force. But again it returned to A division football in 2060 BS.
Under former national coach Yogambar Suwal, the ambitious Police could not win the title in initial three seasons. In 2060 and 2061 BS, Police finished second and in 2062 it finished fourth.
Dissatisfied with the result, the departmental team called in Shrestha in place of Suwal and Shrestha gave a magical touch to the departmental team in his very first season. Police won the league title in 2063 BS.
But, the league halted for three years following internal dispute in All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) and resumed in 2067 BS. In the same year, he defended the title remaining unbeaten in all 22 matches played.
He lifted third league trophy on Saturday at the Dasharath Stadium but this time his side lost its last match against Manang Marshyangdi Club.
Not only Shrestha holds the record of winning three successive league titles but also maintaining highest unbeaten run by any team in domestic league. Since losing the 15th match of 2063 BS league against Boys Union Club, Shretha was unbeaten for 49 league matches.
However Shrestha, the former center midfielder of New Road Team (NRT) from 2033 to 2043 BS, gives credit for the victory to the hard work of his players and a high degree of coordination among coach, players and management for the success.
Shrestha leads the team quietly and refuses to come in the limelight. When Police players were lifting the league trophy on Saturday, Shrestha was sitting quietly behind the scene.
"One can be a successful coach only if he knows the ability and weaknesses of players," Shrestha said adding, "The success of a team greatly depends upon conditioning, techniques, tactics, mental preparation of players and strategy on the field. And, all of these should be coordinated by a coach."
"Coach should be able to craft the match-winning strategy and players should be able to implement it."
Shrestha mentioned names of his key players as Jumanu Rai, Ritesh Thapa and Parbat Pandey. He said, "They are the match winning players. They have the ability to read the match and turn it any time. Pandey in particular has the ability of reading into opponent´s strategy."
Shrestha, father of 14-year-old Nischhal and husband of Salina, took up the coaching career in 2045 BS.
Shrestha is a football coach at the National Sports Council but his association with the departmental team is the longest among professional clubs.
He had also looked after New Road Team (NRT) and Ranipokhari Corner Team (RCT) for short terms in some knock-out tournaments. He had looked after RCT in eight tournaments and gained victories in five.
Shrestha looked after Nepali national team in 2008 in AFC Challenge Cup final round in Hyderabad, India.
"Before I assumed the responsibility of Police team, I was involved in players´ production from 2045 BS to 2062 BS. Nurturing new talents gives me more satisfaction than managing a professional team. I am almost passive while looking after professional teams," Shrestha said.
Shrestha so far has not faced any interference from the management regarding teams and players. "I am never under any pressure from the management in Police team. However, in handling a team like police, I always feel a pressure to win the match."
"But I also have a desire to take a mid-table team now. Gaining success from the mid-table team gives more satisfaction than coaching a top-level professional team. But there is no mid-table team in Nepali football now. There is a widespread practice of players changing their clubs in the very next season."
He attributes this to insufficient number of players making the grade in the country. In comparison to demand, production of new talent is very low. This is why clubs have to employ a large number of foreign players."
He lauds football clubs for making huge investments despite getting no return from it. "The clubs are making more investments compared to ANFA, and they are not getting returns as per the investment."
He advised football governing body ANFA to frame a policy which helps produce new and better players.
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