Kolkata: Khalid Jamil had a dream run with Aizawl FC last season where he led them to their maiden I-League title. Battling all odds, Aizawl FC, under his guidance came out all guns blazing and became the first team from the north-east to win the title, shrugging off competition from I-League giants and former champions Mohun Bagan.
Indeed it was a season which many wouldn’t forget and in a bid to replicate the success Khalid had with Aizawl, I-League heavyweights East Bengal have signed the 40-year old for the upcoming season. Khalid’s inclusion would be no less than a huge boost to their chances in winning the title next season but the I-League winning coach is now focused on performing well with the red the golds upcoming Calcutta Football League.
“My first focus is to win the Calcutta Football League. I-League is still far away. I want to think step by step,” said Jamil.
Khalid came to Kolkata on Tuesday to meet the club officials and the members of the Advisory Committee. When asked about the squad-building strategy of East Bengal this season, he said, “East Bengal always build strong squads. This time it would be the same. I’m currently in talks with Ashutosh and Jayesh and we will see how it goes.”
While Indian football has on a temporary basis embraced the new structure of letting the ISL and the I-League take place simultaneously, the I-League teams are trying their best to recruit the top quality foreign players to strengthen their squad.
Already having signed Brazilian striker Charles D’Souza, East Bengal have now set their sights on retaining Willis Plaza from last season. Plaza did not have a good outing in his last stint with the Red and Gold brigade but Khalid Jamil has put in a lot of faith in the abilities of the Caribbean forward. “Plaza is a class player and he will add a lot of strength and value to our club,” said Jamil.
East Bengal also has decided to sign all their three foreigners before the CFL. Jamil also said that they would begin with the practice from the next week onwards.
The club is also trying to have a few of their I-League matches played at their ground in the club premises and club official Debabrata Sarkar would travel to Kalyani to check the conditions there and confirm as to whether the pre-season facilities would be available there or not.
Shankarlal to coach Bagan; Sanjoy Sen mentor
Mohun Bagan too is gearing up for the CFL and have appointed Shankarlal Chakraborty as the head coach for the upcoming CFL. Arpan Dey would be the assistant coach while Sanjoy Sen would provide his services as the mentor.
The Mariners would begin their practice for the CFL from July 12 and a physical trainer would be hired by the club.