‘ Here to inspire ATK’
Indian Super League squad Atletico de Kolkata unveiled their official team jersey for the upcoming third season in their home city on Friday.
The club also introduced their new head coach, former Spain custodian Jose Francisco Molina.
Molina, who fought cancer during his playing days, said that he was here to inspire the team lift the ISL trophy once again.
“Your past experience always helps you in your life. I’ve gone through a difficult phase and overcome it. Hopefully I inspire the team to win again,” Molina said.
The former Deportivo la Coruna goalkeeper, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer during his playing days, succeeded Antonio Lopez Habas under whom ATK won the inaugural season and finished runners- up to Chennayin FC last year.
“Yes, there will be pressure but that’s your role as a coach. I want to make ATK the strongest team in the league.
“I have seen footage of some of the players and will learn about them more during our month- long camp in Madrid from August 22.”
Co- owned by former India cricket captain Sourav Ganguly, the club have gone for a major overhaul retaining four foreigners — Iain Hume, Tiri, Sameehg Doutie and Ofentse Nato and two Indians — Arnab Mondal and Jewel Raja.
“The idea is to strike a balance between the attack and the defence. But the core of the team is the same,” the 45- year- old said.
Interestingly, this was Molina’s second visit to the city as he was in Kolkata as the coach of Hong Kong’s club Kitchee, and faced East Bengal twice in the AFC Cup with the games ending 2- 2 ( at home) and 1- 1 ( away) as they had made a last eight finish in the AFC Cup last season.
Molina succeeded Antonio Lopez Habas under whom ATK won the inaugural season