The I-League’s coach of the year, Khalid Jamil, is set to move from champions Aizawl FC to East Bengal.
“Things should be final by early next week,” Jamil told the Times of India. “I must admit I am very interested in taking up the challenge. I need to have a final word with my present club, Aizawl, before committing anything,” he added.
Jamil has previously coached Mumbai FC before leading Aizawl FC to their maiden I-League title last season. The 40-year-old said he had received offers from many clubs after Aizawl’s I-League triumph, but picked East Bengal because they were the most aggressive suitors, the report said. “Every footballer wants to play in Kolkata at least once in their career,” Jamil said. “It is no different for me; if it wasn’t as a player, then as a coach now.”
East Bengal officials met Jamil at the All India Football Federation’s awards ceremony on Friday in Mumbai, which was the first time they had approached him about the job, Jamil said. “Debarata Sarkar, senior East Bengal official, met with me again today to discuss the deal. Like with every negotiation, there are a few things that need to be ironed out.”
East Bengal are likely to be part of Indian football’s proposed revamped league structure, while Aizawl are not. The Kolkata-based club has already signed midfielder Mahmoud al Amna, defender Lalramchullova, and forward Brandon Vanlalremdika from Aizawl, and are likely to get defender Zohmingliana Ralte and midfielder Laldanmawia too, the report said.
Jamil even told the newspaper that Aizawl had not made an effort to keep its players, or him, after the season ended. “Once the season gets over, it becomes the management’s responsibility to retain the players,” he was quoted as saying. “They haven’t done it. I’ve lost a lot of my players.”