My dream is to coach Mohun Bagan: Jose Ramirez Barreto

KOLKATA: Mohun Bagan legend Jose Ramirez Barreto said on Wednesday that it is his dream to coach the iconic club one day.

Brazilian striker Barreto has won two national league titles with the green and maroon outfit and is currently working with the youth development programme at the Reliance Foundation.

"We always have a dream and mine is to become the Mohun Bagan coach. I'm just working hard to be a good coach," Barreto said during a chat show of 'Mohun Bagan icons' on the occasion of the club's annual day celebration that was held virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I always take pride in whatever I do for Mohun Bagan. Of course I played for them for many years and the officials, the fans, everyone — they are kind of family for me. Coaching (Mohun Bagan) is a thing to dream of, something that will unite me with the fans again," Barreto said.

The century old club's footballing rights were recently acquired by the RP Sanjiv Goenka Group which holds a majority stake of 80 per cent. The new entity is called ATK Mohun Bagan FC which will take part in the Indian Super League (ISL) from this season.

"It's a great combination, like two spirits coming together with ATK-Mohun Bagan. It's going to make a huge difference for Bengal football," Barreto, who scored 94 goals for Mohun Bagan in NFL/I-League, said.

Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia, who had also donned the Mohun Bagan jersey apart from playing from East Bengal, added: "The fans should celebrate this day. It's a historic day and more so with the joint venture with ATK. It's a proud moment for all the fans across India and the world. I hope this legacy of July 29 goes on in the years to come."

The chat show also featured current I-League winner and Spanish attacking midfielder Joseba Beitia and Sony Norde, the Haitian who was instrumental in the team winning the I-League title in 2014-15. (IANS)

Also watch: #NewsMakers: Amending EIA Notification, 2020 Impact on NorthEast