Kolkata : Insisting that the team would be seen in a more ‘professional avatar’ in the upcoming season, reigning champions Atletico de Kolkata announced the appointment of the sports director and a new foreign recruit ahead of the Indian Super League (ISL) football tournament’s domestic draft in Mumbai on July 10.
Although the marquee player for the side is yet to be chosen, the team has time till July 31 to decide on it. “I take all the decisions about the team. I’m the head coach,” Antonio Lopez Habas said. “We are looking at different options and we have time till July 31 to announce. We will take the decision in due course. We are going to see the Indian draft and then the final decision will be taken,” he added.
Habas also informed that the team management took interviews of Indian coaches to appoint his deputy.
“Coach has the final say in taking the decision. He takes all decisions on the technical aspects in the team. Bhaichung is an advisor to us but the authority of the decision belongs to them (the coach and the sports director),” co-owner Sanjiv Goenka clarified.
The co-owners also said that they were looking forward to retaining the trophy. “I thank you all for the overwhelming support last season. This time the responsibility is even bigger and our expectation is even higher,” Goenka said.
ATK also announced the signing of Valmiro Lopes Rocha (Valdo), former player of Levante and Osasuna.
“Valdo is an attacking player who can play in both wings,” Goenka said, adding that they have so far announced 18 names and are looking forward to players drafts in Mumbai. —PTI
