I-League winning coach Khalid Jamil was today unveiled as head coach of East Bengal FC ahead of the upcoming Calcutta Football League and the 2017/18 I-League season.
Jamil, who won the I-League title last season with Aizawl FC, joined the Kolkata giants 15 years after he had refused a transfer to EB as a player, citing their sponsorship by a liquor brand for not joining them.
They finished the league in third position after having been top of the table after 13 games. Trevor Morgan, who was then manager, resigned after four straight defeats consigned the club to a 13th straight season without a league title.
In his first press conference, Jamil stated his reasons for joining the club, “Honestly I did not want to leave Aizawl FC but Nituda (assistant secretary Debabrata Sarkar) convinced me and said you must join East Bengal.”
“I won the I-League and I thought it’s time for me to take up the challenge to a next level. East Bengal are a bigger club and there will be pressure. I’m looking forward. The first target is to win my first match here and go step by step from there,” said Jamil.
The Red-and-Golds have already signed a number of players including Lalramchullova, Mahmoud Al Amna and Brandon Vanlalremdika, all part of Aizawl’s title-winning run and they will be reuniting with Jamil.
With the Indian Super League (ISL) set to be expanded, East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have no alternative but to play in the low-key league. “Football will remain the same, be it ISL or I-League,” Jamil said.
The 40-year-old had an offer with an ISL club, apparently as assistant coach in Mumbai City FC, but the coach said: “It was not as clear as here. So I chose to join East Bengal.”
On the uncertainty prevailing over their participation, East Bengal general secretary Kalyan Majumder said: “Don’t forget we have our first assignment in the Calcutta Football League Premier Division next season. We are proud to have him with us. I firmly believe this relationship will flourish.”
(with inputs from PTI)