Shillong Lajong FC Names Birendra Thapa As Head Coach For Upcoming Season

Last Updated:July 18, 2025, 16:47 IST

Shillong Lajong FC appoints Birendra Thapa as head coach with George Vannie Lyngdoh Nongrang named assistant coach.

News18

Meghalaya’s Shillong Lajong FC has appointed former player and long-time club associate Birendra Thapa as the new head coach for the upcoming season, officials announced on Friday.

Known as Coach Biru, Thapa brings nearly two decades of experience to the role, having been associated with the club since 2001 in various capacities, including player, team manager, and assistant coach.

Thapa played for Shillong Lajong FC from 2001 to 2009 and was part of the squad that qualified for the 2009-10 I-League season.

After retiring from professional football, Thapa served as the team manager and assistant coach for ten years until 2019.

From 2020 to 2024, he gained valuable coaching experience at the national level as an assistant coach with Mohammedan Sporting Club and Sreenidi Deccan.

In 2024, he returned to Shillong Lajong FC as an assistant coach for the previous I-League season.

Additionally, the club announced George Vannie Lyngdoh Nongrang as the new assistant coach. George, a former youth player for the club between 2013 and 2017, rejoined the coaching staff in 2024.

“A new chapter begins with familiar faces for the upcoming season," the club said in a statement.

Club officials expressed confidence in the new leadership, stating that both appointments reflect the club’s vision to build on its legacy with homegrown talent and leadership that understands the team’s ethos and culture.

With Thapa and George in the coaching setup, Shillong Lajong FC aims for a strong performance in the upcoming season, leveraging the continuity and deep-rooted association both individuals share with the club.

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

Read More

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Shillong, India, India

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