East Bengal are in dire straits. The last two words from the first line might sound as an exaggeration but that is the truth. The club, which holds a huge legacy and history, is yet to achieve a win since their triumph against Downtown Heroes, which came more than a month back at the Durand Cup 2024.
Moreover, the team’s fitness concerns and strategic approach to matches has raised eyebrows and Carles Cuadrat’s position as the head coach is in danger. But will the club part ways with the Spaniard or keep him till the end of this campaign is yet to be learnt. But the realistic situation suggests both.
Firstly, it will be a tough task to offload Cuadrat and his staff. A huge compensation will have to be paid not only to the head coach but also to his assistants. Secondly, regarding the Anwar Ali issue, the club is yet to know the exact amount of fine they have to pay, if there is one.
Thirdly, they have spent huge in this recently concluded window and adding a new coaching staff might hurt the pockets of the investors – Emami Group, who are yet to sign a sponsor or co-sponsor, as suggested by the club kits, this season.
But still, if East Bengal want to offload Cuadrat and his staff, who should they consider?
Field Vision had a look at a few profiles and came to the conclusion that three coaches are there who have previously worked in the Indian circuit, who should be a good fit at the club, considering the squad and project at disposal.
Staikos Vergetis
The former Punjab FC boss did extremely well in the last two seasons at the club. He created history in 2023, when he helped Punjab FC become the first I-League club to gain promotion to the Indian Super League. Also, under his tutelage, in their debut ISL campaign, the Shers made an eighth-place finish.
The style of football Vergetis showcased with a relatively young and inexperienced and of course underdog Punjab FC contingent was commendable. Staikos is an overachiever, he took lesser known Greek side Asteras Tripolis to Europa League group stage for the first and only time in club’s history.
If he gets the chance to work with the current East Bengal set-up, fans can be hopeful of top-notch attacking football and maybe he can lead the team to an ISL Shield or ISL Trophy at the end of the season, considering his game-reading abilities and tactical decisions and training methods.
Scott Cooper
With great expectations, Jamshedpur FC had signed Scott Cooper last season but things didn’t go well and Cooper left the club mid-season. Cooper has the reputation of yielding the best out of the young players.
At East Bengal, players like Prabhsukhan Gill, Mohamad Rakip, Mark Zothanpuia or even Sayan Banerjee, Aman CK and PV Vishnu, will be greatly benefitted if Cooper takes charge. Moreover, he can work with the youth development of the club and strategise the direction needed for the club to sustain a proper football business in the future.
Gerard Nus
Gerard Nus was in his mid-thirties when he signed for NorthEast United. He was in charge for 11 ISL games in the 2020-21 season, where the team struggled and secured just two wins and six draws, losing three in the process. But considering the tactical brilliance he had, along with the team he’ll get at East Bengal, he’ll be a good option for the club’s recruiters to consider.
Moreover, his career graph portrays the experience he has working with young and promising individuals and how he can mould them to become a better version of themselves. It is to be noted that a youngster like Apuia played under him back in 2020-21 and was nurtured by him and later Khalid Jamil, to go on to become India’s one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Nus is currently looking after the youth set-up at Al-Gharafa SC, a club which plies its trade in the Stars League in Qatar. Maybe a comeback in the Indian top-tier would be the best thing the 39-year-old would consider at this point of his coaching career, something which started way back in 2007 when he handled the youth in Liverpool.
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