Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal FC. The ex-Liverpool legend has been roped in as the head coach by SC East Bengal, the new entrants in the Indian Super League. After the announcement of East Bengal as the 11th team in the Indian Super League, speculations were going around as who would be the next head coach of the new ISL outfit. Several high-profile names like Sven-Goran Eriksson, Jose Pekerman, and others, threw in their hats to be a part of the club which is celebrating its centenary year. Finally, today the club has announced Former Liverpool FC legend, Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal for the upcoming season. Also, Indian football legend Renedy Singh will join Robbie Fowler as the Indian assistant coach of East Bengal for the upcoming 2020-21 Indian Super League season.
Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal: Contract Details
Robbie Fowler has signed a two-year deal to become the new boss of East Bengal. Here’s what the investors Shree Cement Limited had to say about the contract details of this major signing.
We are happy to appoint the legendary Robbie Fowler as the Head Coach for the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) season. It is a two-year contract as of now but we hope to have a long, fruitful, and trophy-laden collaboration. Robbie comes with a wealth of experience having played with and against the best
H.M. Bangur, Managing Director, Shree Cement
Coaching Staff of Robbie Fowler at East Bengal
Now that Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal, the club will have plenty of Premier League experience this season. The first glimpse of that experience is coming from the coaching staff of Robbie Fowler at his new club. Here is the complete details about the new coaching staff of East Bengal.
Robbie Fowler’s managerial career so far
Robbie Fowler played over 250 Premier League matches for Liverpool across two stints, scoring 128 goals. He also featured for Leeds United, Manchester City, and other clubs before turning to coach. As Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal, let’s look back at his previous managerial stints.
Muangthong United
On 1 October 2011, Fowler was appointed as the manager of Muangthong United, where he was already an existing player. Muangthong had taken action and sacked Henrique Calisto. The club announced the replacement soon and thus Fowler was signed as player-manager of the club.
In October 2013, it was announced that Robbie Fowler would be taking up a coaching role with Liverpool’s academy. On 9 September 2014, it was reported that Fowler had applied for the vacant managerial role at his former club Leeds United.
Brisbane Roar
On 23 April 2019, it was announced by the Australian Hyundai A-League club Brisbane Roar that Robbie Fowler had signed a two-year contract to act as the club’s new coach ahead of the forthcoming 2019–20 season. Upon his appointment, it was also announced that Tony Grant and Darren Davies would be joining his coaching staff, with Davies having acted as caretaker manager prior to Robbie Fowler’s arrival. To mark the managerial contrast, Brisbane announced a major clear-out during the off-season, where fourteen senior players were released, notably marquee player Eric Bautheac. Fowler then made his first signing as a manager in June, when Roy O’Donovan signed from Newcastle United Jets.
Robbie Fowler’s first competitive match in charge came in a 2–0 thriller, which ended in Brisbane’s favor against reigning A-League champions Sydney on 7 August in the FFA Cup. Independently, Robbie Fowler won the league’s Coach of the Month accolade for January and February 2020.] With play halted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic for the past three months, Robbie Fowler announced his decision to leave the club, stating that he was unwilling to be apart from his family as a result of which he and Grant returned to England in March.
Robbie Fowler as the East Bengal manager: How did the signing wind up?
Now that Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal, let’s look back at how things rounded up and how did this deal wind up.
Ever since Mohun Bagan merged with ATK to enter ISL as ATK Mohun Bagan, the onus was on East Bengal to join their rivals in the top division. The Red and Golds confirmed their chances to play in the ISL after managing to attract investment from Shree Cement Limited. Thereafter, FSDL started the bid process by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) document which East Bengal duly picked up under the aegis of the ‘Shree Cement East Bengal Foundation‘. And soon, Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), officially announced on September 27, that East Bengal will be a part of the ISL from the 2020-21 season as SC East Bengal. The club announced this news on their social media pages as well.
East Bengal had begun talks with Robbie Fowler right after they had secured Shree Cement Ltd. as their investors. In fact, the ex-Premier League striker’s profile was one of the first ones to reach the Kolkata giants. However, in the days to come, several high profile names like Sven-Goran Eriksson, Jose Pekerman, and others, also submitted their CVs to grab the hot seat. Ultimately, it all came down to 4 names who went on to face the interview. And after multiple discussions, it all penned downed to one name, Robbie Fowler. However, eventually, the 100-year-old club decided to go for a young coach who would be hungry for success and be able to drive them to success in their debut ISL campaign. And as Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal FC now, it seems that the boxes have been ticked. It will be interesting to see how a high profile name like Robbie Fowler can lead East Bengal as they make the step up to the ISL.
What are your thoughts on this news as Robbie Fowler is the new coach of East Bengal? Let us know in the comment section below.
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