Former East Bengal stars criticise Fowler’s comment

Robbie Fowler’s touch upon the perceived lack of coaching of some Indian gamers at SC East Bengal drew sharp reactions from former internationals Shyam Thapa and Subhas Bhowmick who’ve additionally coached the red-and-gold brigade.

Following SC East Bengal’s 0-Three loss to Mumbai City FC in ISL7 on Tuesday, coach Fowler stated in a tv interview, “in all honesty, some Indian players look like they haven’t been coached before.” In his first media interplay on October 10, the Liverpool nice had stated he was “more than satisfied” with the Indians on the roster.

“The comment shows Robbie Fowler has some way to go before he can be called a good coach. You can say what you want to your players but behind the closed doors of the change room. In public, you defend them or say as a coach you couldn’t communicate what you wanted,” stated Bhowmick who coached East Bengal to the 2003 Asean Cup title in Jakarta, making them the primary Indian staff to win a membership competitors exterior south Asia.

Before becoming a member of SC East Bengal, Fowler had been a player-manager in 2011-12 in Thailand and in A-League final time period with Brisbane Roar.

“And it shows that great players don’t always make a good coach. Chuni (Goswami) and PK (Banerjee) got their coaching badges together but Chuni soon realised he wouldn’t make a good coach even though he was arguably the best player of his generation, if not of all time in India,” stated Bhowmick.

Former India captains, Goswami and Banerjee have been among the many nation’s greatest forwards and key members of the 1962 Asian Games staff that received gold. Banerjee grew to become a profitable coach for golf equipment and nation.

“Fowler has been a great player so I think he couldn’t control the frustration at the big loss. Losing 0-2 to ATK Mohun Bagan was different; they are a team formed from champions of I-League and ISL. So even though the loss hurt, he could control himself. Yesterday, he could not,” stated Thapa, chairman of the All India Football Federation’s technical committee.

“East Bengal couldn’t deal with Mumbai’s trio of Ahmed Jahouh, Rowllin Borges and Hugo Boumous. They were drawing East Bengal’s midfield out and creating space and through the game, Fowler’s team couldn’t find a way to counter it. The defenders (Danny) Fox and (Scott) Neville should have done better against Mohun Bagan too. And I think Mike Okoro was better than (Jacques) Maghoma. So, the Indians may have been bad but what about the foreigners East Bengal have,” stated Bhowmick.

Nigerian striker Okoro was a key member of East Bengal’s nationwide league titles in 2002-03 and 2003-04 beneath Bhowmick. That was the final time East Bengal received the nationwide league.

Bhowmick and Thapa, teammates within the 1970 Asian Games the place India received bronze, agreed SC East Bengal have had an underwhelming begin to their first ISL. They have misplaced each video games, shipped 5 targets and seemed disjointed. “That is not unexpected. By the time they joined ISL, teams had already recruited the best or retained them. Same for the imports too. They may be good but are not at their fittest. East Bengal will need time,” stated Thapa.

Having joined on a two-year deal, Fowler had stated that although SC East Bengal have had a shorter pre-season, they might be prepared. “We will get it right. I am 100% sure of that,” Fowler had stated.