KOLKATA: Forced into a transition in the light of its investor's impending exit and facing the challenge of playing in the country's top league, East Bengal club has turned to one of Indian football icons in its 'resettlement' plans in Indian football's current domestic structure.
If things go according to plans, former India captain
Bhaichung Bhutia
could be seen as a likely facilitator to break the logjam, plaguing the club management now, and accelerate the process of the red-and-golds football team's migration from I-league to
Indian Football League
next season.
Following a meeting between Bhaichung and senior club official Debabrata Sarkar, which took place recently, the club is now mulling the option of involving him "in some capacity" and seeking his assistance in its bid to play in the
ISL
.
When contacted, Bhaichung admitted on Tuesday that East Bengal's migration to the ISL - which has been promoted as India's top league at the expense of I-League - should be a logical destination in the red-and-golds' rebuilding plans and he's ready to help his former club as "an advisor".
"The ISL being the country's top league now, the presence of teams like
Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will further enhance its colour and competitiveness. Mohun Bagan's merger with ATK means they will play in the ISL next season. Indian football fans would be benefited if East Bengal also follow suit," said Bhaichung - who began his senior professional career with the red and golds as a 16-year-old in 1993.
"The East Bengal club management is doing its bid in this regard and I'm hopeful something positive will come out of it. If needed, I'm ready to help them as an advisor," added the 43-year-old added, who was also part of East Bengal's 2003-2004 I-League and Asian Club Championship-winning campaigns.
East Bengal's move has come hot on the heels of the club management's search for potential sponsors or investors after Quess Corp Ltd - which controls the football team with 70 per cent shares - has decided to round up its relationship with the red and golds at the end of the ongoing season.
Sarkar and other senior club officials have had a series of meetings with Football Sports Development Ltd (FSDL), which runs the ISL, in recent past, exploring various avenues to make the top league. The Bengaluru-based company has already informed the club of its plans of offloading its shares before disbanding its entity (Quess
East Bengal Football Club
Pvt Ltd).
However, it has been learnt that FSDL may extend the deadline for its process of inviting bids for new teams to May, meaning East Bengal will have more time to set its house in order.
Sarkar, however, insisted that the red and golds would feature in the next ISL.
"A couple of years ago, we approached the chief minister (Mamata Banerjee) and sought her help in our bid to play in the ISL. She is aware of the rich history of both these clubs and I hope she wants both of us to play in the top league," Sarkar said.
"Moreover, the Big Two's presence will bring more excitement and fan following to ISL. So, if Mohun Bagan play there, can ISL organisers afford to lose East Bengal. We are keeping all options open and I'm quite optimistic that both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan will play in the ISL next season," the red-and-golds official maintained.
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