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What's the story?
East Bengal’s worries seem to be never-ending, as Subhash Bhowmick, their technical director has refused to continue his current stint with the club if Khalid Jamil remains head coach. Apparently, the veteran coach was not allowed to attend the pre-match team meeting ahead of their Super Cup final against Bengaluru FC.
In case you didn't know...
After finishing fourth in the 2017-18 I-League seasons, the Kolkata giants came back strongly in the inaugural Indian Super Cup and swiftly moved to the final of the tournament. They were up against Bengaluru FC in the title clash, but they were hammered with a 1-4 defeat after they were down to 10 men halfway through the game.
The heart of the matter
Furious with the coach and management, Subhash Bhowmick lashed out in front of the media after the final and said that he is unwilling to continue his partnership with Khalid Jamil. "I won't work with Khalid anymore. If he stays I'll leave. I can stay in a room full of snakes but not with Khalid Jamil,” said the technical director.
Not only that, but the ASEAN Cup-winning coach also confessed that has worked with AFC licensed coaches in the future but he never had any problems with them. He said that Khalid Jamil never has any plans, and that’s why East Bengal were humiliated in the Super Cup final.
Regarding this matter, he said, "I have worked with many AFC A license and AFC Pro license coaches. Mariano Dias, Alfred Fernandes are some of them. I never had problems. This is the first time I am complaining. Jamil is no coach. He never has any plans. I knew Miku would come down and create chances from midfield. But I wasn't allowed to attend the pre-match team meeting."
What's next?
East Bengal is one of the most followed football clubs in Asia, but they are without an I-League trophy for more than 14 years. Khalid Jamil was roped in by the Kolkata giants before the start of the recently-concluded season, but he failed to win them the title. On the other hand, Subhash Bhowmick has been successful with East Bengal. It will be very difficult for the management to settle the dispute or even sack one of the two stalwarts!
Author's take
East Bengal still have a lot of time on hand to handle the situation and take a favourable decision. The Calcutta Football League s still a few months away and a final call on the dispute will certainly set the tone for the following season.
