'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What’s the story?
After dismissing Khalid Jamil from the position of the head coach of the club, the authorities at East Bengal are on a hunt to find a replacement for their former coach. The Kolkata giants are amid talks with Bulgarian national, Velizar Popov to take over the job at the club.
In case you didn’t know…
With almost two decades worth of experience in football coaching across the world, Popov makes a highly qualified candidate as Jamil’s successor at East Bengal, and the club would be lucky to have a mind like Velizar’s at their fortress. The 42-year-old has had stints in Europe, Asia and the Middle East – having participated in almost a couple of hundred official games as head coach in international competitions. Popov has also been a part of events such as the AFC Cup, UEFA Europa League, and the Asian World Cup Qualifiers as well.
In January 2013, he was appointed as the manager of Maldivian side, New Radiant SC (NRSC), where he went on to win the domestic championship on an unbeaten run. The manager also guided NRSC to Maldives FA Cup wins as well as the Super Cup Charity Shield, completing the treble for the season.
Heart of the matter
East Bengal have a vacancy at the club for the position of the head coach after sacking Khalid Jamil from the job following his string of poor performances and EB losing out to Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super Cup finale recently. Jamil had also said to have had a tiff with their technical director Mr. Subhash Bhowmick, as the latter refused to work with the then coach.
Sportskeeda has learned that Bulgarian manager Velizar Popov is the leading aspirant to take the coaching position at East Bengal.
What’s next?
Since Popov is available, East Bengal have shown interest in order to acquire his signature for the job. Though, the Kolkata giants are yet to name the man for the head coach role at the club.
Author’s take
Velizar Popov would bring in loads of experience from in and around Asian football. Having tasted so much success in the continent, it will be interesting to see the kind of impact he makes on the East Bengal squad, in a case in which he is appointed as the coach of the club. While the fans wait in anticipation of the appointment of the new coach of the side, Popov will sure be on the radar to be a fan favourite candidate.
