ISL 2017: Bengaluru FC assistant coach Carles Cuadrat steps down
What's the story?
Bengaluru FC assistant coach Carles Cuadrat has parted ways with the club by mutual consent owing to health concerns.
The Bengaluru FC COO Mustafa Ghouse said, “We will definitely miss the presence of Carles at the club, but we understand his situation and wish him a speedy recovery. He has been a vital cog in the club’s success and will always have a special place at the club. We would like to thank him for all he has done for Bengaluru FC and he’s always welcome here.”
In case you didn't know
Cuadrat joined the then I-League club Bengaluru FC with Albert Roca on July 7, 2016. After his appointment, Bengaluru FC finished a disappointing fourth in the I-League. After his and Roca's arrival, the team reached the final of the AFC Cup becoming the first Indian side to do so. Bengaluru FC are playing in the ISL this season after their successful bid and are third on the table with 12 points in 7 matches.
The heart of the matter
Head coach Albert Roca will part ways with his longtime assistant Cuadrat after this decision. They have both coached together at Barcelona Youth Academy. Cuadrat was Roca's assistant during his tenure at Saudi Arabia and at El Salvador as well.
Marc Huguet, who is also a former Barcelona youth academy coach, will be joining Roca to assist him for the rest of the season.
The medical condition of the Spanish coach was worsening day-by-day and was finally taken back to Bengaluru before their match with Pune City FC on December 14.
“We landed in Pune for an away game and I had to fly back the same day for a surgery. I will now have to spend the next two months in recovery. I sat with the club management and we decided that it is best I take a step aside given how packed the fixture calendar is. I won’t be able to give the team and myself one hundred percent. We are a professional team and need all hands on the deck at all times, which is why I have taken this decision,” said Cuadrat in a press release.
What next?
Bengaluru FC would be travelling to Kerela this Sunday to face fellow South Indian rivals Kerela Blasters, in a tie that has already been quite hyped-up by the two sets of supporters.
Sportskeeda's take
With the good work that Cuadrat and Roca have done at BFC, it would be difficult for the Blues to replace the Spaniard. However, the show must go on, and so must BFC.1