Kolkata: Atletico De Kolkata has been one of the most consistent sides in the ISL in it’s three year history and has been guided to the title by two different coaches in the past.
Now, with the change in format and duration of the tournament, newly appointed coach Teddy Sheringham is ready to take up the challenge of coaching the champion side and the former English striker is looking forward to having a great time with the Kolkata franchise.
“I’m looking forward to work as the new coach of this fantastic team. Coaching the defending champions will not be easy but I’m up for the challenge. I am accustomed to winning, since my playing days and I would like to instill that desire in this team. I am thankful to the ATK management for giving me this opportunity and along with Ash (Ashley Westwood), I would like to build a strong team and give the crazy football fans in Kolkata more reasons to be happy,” said Sheringham at a press conference in the city where he was officially introduced as the coach of Atletico De Kolkata.
However, he admitted that he didn’t have any idea of Indian football and the ISL before but his former teammate David James, who was with the Kerala Blasters as a player and a manager in the inaugural edition of the ISL in 2014 guided him with the information regarding the popular tournament and it is then that the former Manchester United striker decided to be a part of this year’s competition.
“I spoke to the English players and managers who had been a part of this tournament in the past and all of them said that it was a fantastic experience. I am looking forward to having a good time as well. I also had a word with David James who gave a positive feedback about the tournament,” said Sheringham.
On asked as to what would be his coaching philosophy when the season begins, he said, “The philosophy is simple. It is to find a winning team. I would focus on understanding the methods of each player and would use them to help them with my understanding of the game.”
Although an attacking player, Sheringham didn’t subscribe to the idea of the players going hard at the referee on a football pitch. “Yes, I have never supported the idea of the players going hard at the referee. I know that every manager has his own way of coaching the team but I would try to instill in my players the fact that the referee’s decision in a match is final and there’s no use in going against it,” he said.
Present at the occasion was fellow Englishman Ashley Westwood who was named as the technical director of the Kolkata based club. The former manager had led Bengaluru FC to two I-League titles and one Federation Cup and he feels that a lot of things have changed in the Blues’ management and team.
“They (Bengaluru FC) have gone the Spanish way (referring to Albert Roca becoming the head coach of the team) and a lot of things have changed. The format of the ISL has changed and each team will have a different outlook. It would be interesting to see how they perform,” said Westwood.
He also praised Sheringham saying that he would learn a lot of things from the new coach. He said, “I am looking forward to learning from someone who is second to none in terms of calibre. I’m just here to help him with my knowledge of Indian football.”