Bengaluru FC appoints Simon Grayson as Head Coach

Bengaluru FC Media 

Bengaluru  FC, on Wednesday, announced the appointment of Englishman Simon Grayson as the club’s Head Coach ahead of the 2022-23 season, on a two-year contract. Grayson, who has over 500 appearances as a player in England’s top divisions, moved into management in 2004 and has since overseen the promotion of four teams in the English Division, in a managerial career that has spanned across 728 games and seven clubs. 

“Coming to India was a possibility that I had looked into two years ago. But the pandemic put all things on hold. When the chance came across again, I was excited to look into it. This presents a new opportunity in my football career and it is one that really excites me,” said Grayson, after completing the formalities on his deal.

“When I spoke to the owner, his mindset was the same as mine. I want this club to be winning trophies again. I am aware that BFC has been very successful in the past but the last few years haven’t worked out like everybody would have liked it to. That happens in football - you learn from it and strive to do better - to get players to work harder on the pitch and off the pitch; that’s the exciting part for me,” said Grayson.

Grayson, who hails from North Yorkshire, has overseen the promotion of four teams in the English Division; Blackpool in 2007, Leeds United in 2010, Huddersfield Town in 2012 and Preston North End in 2015. He had short spells at Sunderland, Bradford City and Blackpool before most recently taking charge of Fleetwood Town in League One. 

The fifty-two-year-old said he was impressed by the little he’s managed to see of the team from last season, and is confident that the blend of youth and experience in the Blues’ ranks will serve as a good base from where the club can build. 

“BFC have some very good young players coming through from the academy and hopefully they’ve learned from their minutes in the first team last season. I truly believe that they can be a massive asset to the football club, and coupled with the players who join, I think this is the perfect opportunity for me, especially because it will be a football season with the supporters. I’m coming not just to spend a period of time learning football in a different country. I’m coming here to win trophies at what is a fantastic football club,” added Grayson. 

As a player, Grayson came through the youth ranks at Leeds United, moving on to Leicester City in 1992, where he made over 220 appearances across five seasons. With Leicester, he secured promotion to the Premier League as captain and also won the English League Cup in 1997, scoring in the semifinal against Wimbledon.

Speaking on the appointment of Grayson, Bengaluru FC Director, Parth Jindal said,

“We are delighted to have landed Simon, who is experienced and successful as both – a player and a manager. His records, in what are extremely competitive and difficult divisions in English football, speak for itself. I had meetings with him in London, and it was evident that he shared our vision and desire to bring Bengaluru FC back where it belongs.”

In 2004, while still a player for Blackpool in League One, Grayson moved into a coaching role with the Seasiders’ reserve squad. Two years later, Grayson called time on a playing career that spanned over two decades to focus on management.

“Simon has a great ability to work with young players and bring the best out of them, as well as a very strong sense of how to get the best out of experienced players. The Bengaluru FC team that we are building is a mix of experience and youth, and I believe Simon is the right man to bring the best out of them,” added Jindal.

Bengaluru FC CEO Mandar Tamhane said that Grayson’s experiences as both a player and manager played a vital role in his appointment, with the 52-year-old serving as a captain on several occasions in his playing career. “Grayson comes with vast experience as a leader, having captained Blackpool and Leicester in his playing days. The fact that he has seen four clubs promoted while in charge as manager speaks volumes about his managerial prowess. His experiences as a player and manager made him the right candidate, and we’re excited about what the future holds for this football club,” said Tamhane.

 

Subhash Bhowmick no more

Former India international player and coach and bronze medalist winner of the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games Football, Subhash Bhowmick, 71, passed away today in the wee hours of morning at Kolkata. 

He was suffering from Kidney ailment for past few years and regularly undergoing dialysis. 

Bhowmick was one of the few rare breeds in Indian football who equally dazzled as a player and coach. After hanging boots, he donned the role of a football coach and manager. 

Not only did he managed the top three Kolkata Clubs, but also coached Salgaocar and Churchill Brothers in Goa. For the latter Goan team, he won the I-League title in 2012-13 season. 

Before that He coached East Bengal to win the Kolkata Football League from 2002-2004, the San Miguel Cup in Kathmandu in 2004, the National Football League (back-to-back) in 2002-03, and 2003-04, the IFA Shield in 2002, the Independence Day Cup in 2002, and the Durand Cup in 2002.

At the domestic level, Bhowmick represented Bengal in the Santosh Trophy in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 (captain), and in 1975, winning it 4 times (in 1969,1971,1972,1975), scoring 24 goals.

At the club level, he played for East Bengal in 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979, and scored 82 goals. He helped the Red and Golds win the Calcutta Football League in 1973, 1974, 1975; the IFA Shield in 1973, 1974, 1975; the Rovers Cup in 1969, 1973; the DCM Trophy in 1973, 1974); and the Bordoloi Trophy in 1973. He also played for Mohun Bagan in 1970, 1971, 1972, 1976, 1977, 1978 and finished with 84 goals. He helped Mohun Bagan to win the Calcutta Football League in 1976, 1978; IFA Shield in 1976 (joint-winners), 1977, 1978 (joint-winners); the Federation Cup in 1978 (joint-winners); the Rovers Cup in 1970, 1971, 1972 (joint-winners), 1977; the Durand Cup in 1977; the Nehru Trophy in 1970; the Bordoloi Trophy in 1976, 1977; the Darjeeling Gold Cup in 1976 (joint-winners); and the Sait Nagjee Trophy in 1978.

Subhash Bhowmick was always known for his involvement with the beautiful game, a great communicator, and an avid learner. 

Naranyanswamy Ulaganathan recalled the time he spent with Bhowmick during his playing days in Mohun Bagan club and Santosh Trophy for Bengal. 

“He was a very good person, in the 1975 Santosh Trophy at Kozhikode that Bengal won, he was literally unstoppable, easily getting past his opponents, he also scored a hattrick in that edition”, remembered from Hyderabad. “My condolences to his family", Ulaga concludes the conversation. 

South United appoint Alfredo Fernandes as Head Coach

South United Media 

South United Football Club officially announced the appointment of Alfredo Fernandes as their new Head Coach. The Bengaluru club were able to attract Mr. Fernandes after two seasons in-charge of the Churchill Brothers I-League side and one season spent as Technical Director at the club. 

Speaking ahead of the announcement, Alfredo Fernandes said, “I was thrilled to see the long-term vision and passion shown by South United FC. The plans and ideas they have for the club are what drew me to the job and I’m excited to be a part of this endeavour. 

“The club has come a long way so far and my goal will be to carry on this incredible journey and build on it as we move forward to try and achieve our long term and short term goals.” 

SUFC are soon holding trials for aspirants who want to play for the senior team during the 2019-20 season and are keen to have Mr. Fernandes involved from the very beginning. 

The AFC ‘A’ License holder, Alfredo Fernandes, began his coaching career with Young Strikers after spending 18 years as a professional footballer. As a player he represented the likes of Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers among others. 

He finished his playing career at Young Strikers and then coached the side for 3 years. Following that, he joined Churchill Brothers to coach their U-20 side and played the role of Assistant Coach for the senior side for 10 years before taking over as Head Coach in 2016. He remained head coach of the side for 2 seasons before taking the post of Technical Director at the club.

Cuadrat pens new deal with Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru FC Media

Bengaluru FC have reached an agreement with Carles Cuadrat to further the Spaniard’s stay with the Indian Super League champions in a new two-year deal that keeps him with the Blues till the end of the 2020-21 season, the club announced on Wednesday.

Having taken over the reins from Albert Roca at the end of the 2017-18 season, Cuadrat – in what was his first stint as head coach of a team – led the Blues their sixth title in as many seasons when they beat FC Goa in the ISL final at the Mumbai Football Arena, in March, this year.

“I am delighted to continue my stay at a club that functions like a closely-knit family. I have spent three years at Bengaluru FC and the fact that I’m willing to add two more, is testament of how happy I am at the club and in the city. We achieved success last season and I would like to build on it. Importantly, we will be competing in Asia again and that’s a challenge we are all relishing. All footballing reasons aside, the love and support the fans have shown me definitely had a part to play in my decision of signing on a new deal,” said Cuadrat.

Cuadrat, who arrived at the club as Roca’s assistant in 2016, took over from his mentor last year in what was a seamless transition. And while he kept the foundations that Roca laid, intact, Cuadrat brought his own ideas to the table that the dressing room were quick to credit as the reason the Blues got across the finish line in the ISL.

Under the Spaniard, Bengaluru became the first team in the history of the ISL to have won the title after finish on top of the table in the group stages. The Blues also boasted of an unbeaten record at home through the season.

Speaking on the deal, club CEO, Parth Jindal said, “After winning the Indian Super League last season and getting the team to perform the way it did, Carles attracted attention from a host of clubs in the country and even the continent, who wanted to secure his services. However, the fact that he has chosen to stay with Bengaluru FC is a fantastic testament to his belief in the project of this club and country, which is to put Indian football on the world map. He’s turned down lucrative deals to stay with us, and that is a very encouraging sign.

Given his La Masia background, he has been the perfect mentor for the young Indian players and that is an important aspect for us at Bengaluru FC. I am certain we will enjoy more success with Carles at the helm.”

Shabbir Ali, Telengana Head Coach get Krida Guru Award from Government of West Bengal

Football legend, present coach of the Telangana state football team Shabbir Ali have been bestowed with Krida Guru Award by the West Bengal State Government. The former Skipper and Technical Director of the Senior National team will be presented in the Khel Sanman Awards function on 24th of this month.

Shabbir Ali was known to be a prolific scorer during his playing days. He started his career in Hyderabad, before moving to Mumbai and finally settling in Kolkata, turning out for East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting for over one and a half decade. His then started his coaching career with the same club. 

Shabbir guided Salgaocar to win the 1998–99 edition of National Football League (now I-League), the first Goan team to win this prestigious title. 

In 2011, he was conferred the Dhyan Chand Award, the highest award in Indian sports for lifetime achievement by the Government of India.

Ozone appoint seasoned coach David Booth

Ozone press release 

Veteran coach David Booth has joined Ozone FC Bengaluru from the beginning on this month. The skilled coach has an extensive understanding of Asian and Indian football with a past in Mahindra United, Mumbai FC, Salgaocar, and the national teams of Myanmar and Laos.

The veteran coach’s achievements make him one of the most respected coaches in Indian football. He won the Federation Cup, Mumbai League and the Super Cup with Mahindra United, I-League 2nd division with Mumbai FC. and he also won the prestigious award as Coach of the year in 2004 from the Football Players Association of India (FPAI).

David Booth is famous for his winning mentality and the ability to elevate the game of his players. David Booth’s first challenge with Ozone FC Bengaluru is the Bangalore Super Division that starts on November 26th with the first game being played against ASC.

Stanly Rozario joins as Director cum Head Coach of Ozone Football Academy

Ozone FCB press release

The AFC Professional Coaching License holder, Bengaluru’s Standly Rozario took charge as the Director cum Head Coach of the Ozone Football Academy. The former MEG, Services, and Karnataka midfielder comes with an extensive coaching experience. He was part of the Senior India football team as an assistant coach during the Bob Houghton era, also, he was the Head Coach of East Bengal, Mohun Bagan, Salgocar, Shillong Lajong, United Sikkim, Bharat, Army XI and Services team.

With his vast coaching experience at International, National and top Indian clubs level, he stepped into a new role and accepted the challenge of managing and developing the Ozone Youth Academy. He has the experience of bringing out the best talent and performance of the players and molds them to perform at the highest level. 

Standly Rozario says, “I am excited of this new challenge. My vision is to identify the best talent and nurture the players at grass root and youth level to make them the players of tomorrow, players that will represent India one day.”

Along with his experience, he brings a calm, collected, sharp vision and winning attitude to the youth players, which will make Ozone Football Academy reach even higher heights. 

The Ozone Football Academy Bengaluru is participating in I-League's U'13, U'15 and U'18 competitions, where the U'13 and U'15 sides have won all their games, topping their groups.