In the bustling ecosystem of Indian football, where players often dribble past obstacles like they’re navigating through a chaat stall on a Sunday afternoon, one man charged onto the pitch with a sprinkle of humor and a dash of ambition. Enter Pradhyum Reddy – from an impressionable coach with a clipboard and a whistle to strutting his stuff as the CEO of Dempo, while moonlighting as a football pundit. It’s a transformation that has the football world both cheering and scratching its head in disbelief. Pradhyum didn’t just climb the corporate ladder; he seemingly pole-vaulted over it while juggling footballs and cracking dad jokes. Picture this: a coach standing in front of a team, bumbling through a motivational speech peppered with Shakespeare quotes and the occasional pun about kicking goals. Instead of shouting tactical formations, he was probably bellowing, “Go out there and make me some kachoris!” How did he kick his way to the top? The journey is akin to a football match full of unexpected twists and turns, akin to watching a game wherein the referee accidentally awards a penalty by tripping over his own shoelaces. It all began during his coaching days when he discovered an untapped strategy: combining rigorous training sessions with elaborate snack breaks featuring samosas and murukku. The players were energized, laughing, and by the time the sun set over the pitch, they were no longer just training hard – they were training with a side of chutney. As a coach, he learned an invaluable lesson – if he could keep the players’ spirits high and their stomachs full, he could turn an underperforming team into potential champions. What he failed to realize was that his sideline antics, which included impromptu dance-offs during halftime, captured the attention of not just scouts but also marketing executives who saw the potential for a brand that would combine football with a flamboyant carnival. Shall we say, a ‘fooball’ or ‘carnifoot’? Soon, Pradhyum transitioned to the corporate world of football, and let’s face it – being a CEO is just like coaching, if your players were spreadsheets and the whistle was replaced by a fancy laptop. One day, he ascended the throne of Dempo, wielding a pen like a magic wand. With a mere flick, he transformed mundane meetings into hilarious brainstorming sessions, spouting ideas like, “What if we sold jerseys printed with the faces of iconic meme characters?” Imagine a goalkeeper adorned in jersey emblazoned with the face of ‘Hide the Pain Harold’ – that’s marketing brilliance right there! Now, as the CEO, Pradhyum ensures that Dempo operates with the same zen-like composure as a nervous midfielder standing over a last-minute penalty. His board meetings resemble a comedic roast where tussles over brand strategy devolve into debates over who can craft the best football-related pun. “I don't want to be a corner – I want to be a goal!” one colleague might proclaim, to raucous laughter and the clinking of coffee mugs. And let’s not overlook his side hustle as a football pundit on the Indian Super League and TV show Football United. Here, he showcases his knack for dissecting matches, often slipping in quips about how he used to boss around players in training. He draws entertaining comparisons between players and beloved Indian snacks, remarking, “That goal was more unexpected than my aunt bringing boondi ladoos to a wedding when I specifically asked for cake!” In a country that treats cricket like its religion, Pradhyum’s rise is nothing short of miraculous. He has redefined what it means to kick your way to the top, aligning football prowess with a unique brand of humor that even attracts cricket fans swiping through channels. So, let’s tip our hats to Pradhyum Reddy, for showing us that the pathway from coach to CEO doesn't have to be a linear sprint; it can be a whimsical dance filled with laughter, samosas, and elegance akin to a well-executed bicycle kick. Who knew the football food chain could taste this deliciously absurd?