Kolkata: Kolkata giants East Bengal Friday appointed former ATK assistant coach Bastab Roy as chief coach for the upcoming season. Roy replaces Khalid Jamil who was sacked after the Red and Golds failed to clinch the title for yet another season.
Roy, an A-License holder, will work under technical director Subhash Bhowmick and has worked as an assistant coach under the likes of Antonio Habas, Teddy Sheringham and Jose Molina.
“East Bengal job is challenging. Just because it was East Bengal, I didn’t have to think twice. I am looking forward to working with Bhowmick,” Roy, who was associated with ATK since 2015, told reporters at the announcement in the club tent.
“There is more of an opportunity here. As a coach, I have to prove my worth. One thing I learned from ISL coaches is discipline.”
Roy also asserted that there will be pressure in working with East Bengal as well as challenging compared to ATK. “The pressure in East Bengal is more, fans expectations are more and the challenge is more. May be Bhowmick thought he will be comfortable working with me that is why he chose me,” Roy added.
Elated with Roy’s appointment, Bhowmick said: “Initially Bastab rejected my offer. He was busy with ATK’s grassroot program. I had received seven applications from top Indian coaches. But later we spoke again and he agreed.”
