I league club Update: Bengaluru FC

by Chittu Shetty July 27, 2016

While Most of the I-League clubs have already started their pre-seasons in preparation for their upcoming tournaments that they are going to participate, Bengaluru FC had given their players extended vacations and now are getting ready to start their Pre-season under new Coach, Albert Roca. While the Bengal clubs, Mohan Bagan and East Bengal are gearing up for Calcutta Football League, Goan clubs are getting ready for GPL, BFC were busy announcing a Residential Academy for the future Indian footballers. The trail for under-16 at Bengaluru has already finished with over 200 kids showing up on the first Day of the trials. Next, the trials will be conducted at Kerala, Punjab, Chandigarh and Mizoram. This completely funded initiative is overseen by BFC Head of youth Development, John Kila and will provide complete Nutrition, Education and accommodation for the selected players.

While the Initiative has already been set into motion with trails at bengaluru, the Senior Team has been summoned for the preparation of much awaited AFC Cup Quarter-finals. The club captain Sunil Chhetri announced his return to pre-seasons by uploading a picture of him taking a Medical Test. Chhetri wrote,” The Best Indicator to start a season – Medicals. Let’s get this going! Bengaluru FC West block blues – Bengaluru FC fans #1stdayritual #preseason.” Chhetri seemed pretty excited and raring to go. The Club is in the transitional phase after Ashley Westwood, clubs first coach ever, left the club in June after 3 years and it will be interesting to see how the new coach Albert Roca would live up to the high expectation, the club will be expecting from him. With the Club deciding not to release its players for the National teams preparatory Camp ahead of its proposed USA tour, the pressure for the club to perform well has only increased. The club has also released its foreign players Curtis Osano, Michael Collins and Kim Song-Yong with John Johnson being the only foreign player retained. It will be interesting to see who club signs as they are probably looking for one who could be part of club during its ISL transition, if it comes to that.

The launch of Residential Academy, releasing foreign players, the signing of a high profile Head coach, Albert Roca, a former FC Barcelona Assistant manager, for two years suggest that the club is preparing itself not only for the AFC cup but also to remain in the top of Indian football league Pyramid, whether it be I-league, ISL or the Merged league including both.