Subhas Bhowmick: Selecting my team did the trick

It's one title that any coach dreams of, the same way any team would expect to lay their hands on. Known for his cool and calculated approach, East Bengal coach Subhas Bhowmick, on Friday, achieved his maiden success in the National Football League with a round to spare.
Success for this former India striker of the 70s and 80s thus placed him alongside a select band of coaches that include; Sukhwinder Singh (JCT Mills), Shabir Ali (Salgaocar SC), Subrata Bhattacharya (Mohun Bagan; 3 titles) and Manoranjan Bhattacharya (East Bengal), all having embraced success in this tournament.
"The wait has finally come to an end," informed the former East Bengal/ Mohun Bagan striker, who began his coaching stint in 1991, referring to the long break after the 18th game in the 22-round marathon. Bhowmick, in his second stint with the red and gold brigade, thus completed a penta that includes winning the Kolkata League, Independence Cup, Assam, Durand Cup, Delhi, IFA Shield, Kolkata.
Elated by his 'personal' milestone, the soft-spoken Bhowmick, who guided East Bengal to their second NFL title - the first on home soil - spoke to The Indian Express from the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata shortly after the match against Vasco SC, Goa.

Did you expect to win the title at the start of the league?

One has to be open with the thought. Winning and losing is part of the game and my feeling was that there were five teams - Mohun Bagan, Churchill Brothers, Vasco SC, Mahindra United and Salgaocar SC who had an equal chance at the start of the league.

What was the key factor that clicked in East Bengal's favour this season?

Selecting a team of my choice. From the very beginning, I had maintained that the team had to be made competitive - a mix of youth and experience - which meant fortifying the bench strength. The reason being each player realised that there was another equally talented player waiting if he did not give his best.

Did you face any sort of pressure to perform?

Being coach of either Mohun Bagan or East Bengal is pressure in itself. Both clubs are 'the people's club'. One is expected to do well. Like the supporters say; "its your duty," if not you get a kick. Quite fantical and become too personal and the first to go is its (the teams) head.

How would you define 'success' overall?

Ninety percent skill and ten percent luck, with the latter being crucial and at times frustrating. It is simple. Take the matches we lost against JCT Mills, Phagwara and Mahindra United - we played our best games in those matches. However, JCT with one half chance flattened us, while Mahindras with three made best use of the opportunity.

Who would you credit the title to, anyone particular?

The team totally. I must say they were an 'eager' lot, willing to push for success. I do not like the idea of singling out a player for his brilliance or goof-ups. Football starts with one player and ends up with 11 doing the job for the team.

Any moment you would like to forget?

Yes the year 1999 when I coached East Bengal for a simple reason; after beginning well we had a spate of injuries that resulted in a total failure that year. More so a weak bench strength could not bring us the finish we expected.

As coach do you have any 'personal' targets to be fulfilled?

Personal goals don't remain important when you become part and parcel of a team. A coach is as good as his team's performance. Doing my bit is all that I am looking for. One has to believe in the team, results automatically follow.

Who would you rate as the best team of the league?

Salgaocar SC undoubtedly. A compact unit and very talented. Vasco SC are not too far behind, no pushovers but very dangerous when they get going.