From Berhampore to Albania, 25-year-old Noor Alam begins a new chapter as FK Apolonia’s head coach after a year with the club as sporting director.

Kolkata: From Bengal to the Balkans, the footballing journey of India’s 25-year-old coach Noor Alam had already started writing its story last year. And at the mark of one year, Noor Alam has arrived with a new responsibility as the head coach of Albanian club FK Apolonia. A story that goes beyond football is now unfolding.

As history keeps turning its pages, many footballers, men and women, and coaches have flown across countries and continents to build their careers. Following the same path, the Berhampore lad set his goal to step beyond his country and represent India, not only in another country but on another continent.

The Journey Before Albania:

Born and brought up in Berhampore, West Bengal, Noor Alam has already travelled a long way in football at just 25. Before making his way to Europe, Noor worked with several academies in India and was also part of the Kerala Blasters FC U17 setup, where he began shaping his experience as a young coach.

His journey then took him beyond India, as he completed his UEFA A Licence through the Scottish FA at just when he was 22 years old , adding a European dimension to his coaching education. In August last year, Noor arrived in Albania and joined FK Apolonia as the club’s sporting director. Now, after a year with the club and while pursuing his UEFA Pro Licence, he has taken on a new responsibility on the touchline as Apolonia’s head coach in the Albanian second division.

A Young Coach with a European Dream:

The new responsibility could not have started in a more inspiring way for Noor Alam. Taking charge of FK Apolonia, the 25-year-old Indian coach faced Tomori in a derby that produced a remarkable chapter in the league’s recent history. FK Apolonia stepped onto the pitch with a starting XI whose average age was just 18.6 years, making it one of the youngest teams to be fielded in the league’s recent history. The young side did not just take the challenge, they went on to secure a memorable victory, probably under the youngest head coach in history, adding another special moment to Noor’s first steps as a head coach in European football.

The derby win was the beginning of a new responsibility, coming almost exactly a year after he first arrived in Albania as Apolonia’s sporting director. From working behind the scenes to now standing on the touchline exactly where he belongs, and with a young team, his role at the club has taken a significant turn.

For Noor Alam, the new responsibility is also a chance to return to what he enjoys most, working directly with players on the pitch. He wants to be closely involved in their development, help them reach their potential and contribute to the team’s progress every day. At the same time, he understands the responsibility that comes with the role and believes in working together, especially with coaching colleague Mark Mundija, he mentioned him. For him, the focus remains on commitment, discipline, developing the team and achieving positive results for FK Apolonia.

From the football grounds of Berhampore to the touchline in Albania, Noor Alam’s journey has already crossed borders, but the road is far from over. The young coach has taken another important step in his career, carrying with him the experience he gained in India and the lessons he has collected during his time in Europe through many coaching education courses.

The derby win against Tomori may be one of the early chapters of his new responsibility, but for Noor, it is another beginning. A young Indian coach is now building his story in European football, and as the pages continue to turn, the journey from Bengal to the Balkans is still being written.

Words from the coach Noor Alam:

“I am extremely grateful to take on this added responsibility. It gives me the opportunity to contribute more directly through on-pitch work, which is something I have always enjoyed and valued.
I have always believed in working closely with players, supporting their development, and helping them reach their full potential. This role allows me to be on the field, work with the team, and contribute to our progress every day.
At the same time, I understand the responsibility that comes. I am grateful to be working closely with my coaching colleague, Mark Mundija, whose support and contribution are extremely important in this journey.
Together, we will continue working with commitment, discipline, and a clear focus on developing the team and achieving positive results for FK Apolonia”