When CD Salgaocar began their hunt for a head coach ahead of their debut campaign, the club set the bar high — a minimum of an AIFF ‘B’ License was non-negotiable. Applications poured in. There were experienced names, a few with impressive resumes and silverware to back their case. But amid all the boxes to tick, it was a dream — not a badge — that caught the club’s imagination. Enter Keenan Almeida.
Back then, Keenan only held a ‘C’ License. But everyone remembered the spark he ignited during his short but impactful stint with Churchill Brothers. Yet, that alone didn’t earn him the CD Salgaocar job. What did was his bold, unapologetic ambition: to coach the Indian national team one day. That kind of purpose, that kind of fire — CD Salgaocar saw a leader in him. Many would say it was a gamble, but the management had already seen a leader, a hardworking and ambitious coach, who wasn’t ready to settle for anything less.
In their maiden season, with one of the youngest squads in the league, CD Salgaocar didn’t just meet expectations — they crushed them. While the club had aimed for a modest top-half finish, Keenan inspired a fearless, disciplined, and entertaining brand of football that propelled the team to a top-three spot — sealing promotion to the I-League 3.
“The team meant business right from the start,” Keenan reflected after their crucial 2-1 win over Geno FC. “Credit to the boys. They gave their best throughout and showed no signs of content. They wanted to qualify in the first season itself,” stated Keenan, who went on to complete his B License after taking over the club.
CD Salgaocar’s campaign wasn’t one of chance — it was carefully crafted, match by match. Going into the final league game, the permutations were simple: CD Salgaocar needed a draw to qualify. Geno FC needed a win. For Keenan’s boys, it was a final.
“We knew it was in our hands,” Keenan said. “We didn’t have to depend on any other result. We didn’t change our plan — we stuck to what we had trained for. And you saw how good they were. They put up a strong fight throughout.”
Under Keenan, CD Salgaocar played with identity — structured in defence, imaginative in attack, and driven by a collective sense of belief. His ability to read the game, trust his squad, and keep the players grounded showed maturity beyond his coaching years.
For Keenan, it is another objective ticked off — just as he promised. The road to the Indian national team might still be long, but if this season is anything to go by, Keenan Almeida is well on his way.
