Former Tottenham and Chelsea goalkeeping coach Leslie Cleevely has joined SC East Bengal to assist and nurture their shot-stoppers for the upcoming season. The ISL side, who appointed Manolo Diaz as their head coach for the upcoming season, have made some terrific signings and are keen on upgrading their last season’s result.
Cleevely has worked with the Tottenham academy as the goalkeeping coach before making a move to their Chelsea in 2007. He spent four years with the current European champions, and worked with the likes of Petr Cech, Carlo Cudicini and Hilario. He recently worked with the Bangladesh national side before making a move to India’s top flight league.
“I have experience of working in this part of the world. Being part of Bangladesh national team setup where fans are very passionate about their football, I understand the sentiment well. SC East Bengal is a massive football club and I am proud to be part of that,”
said Cleevely.
East Bengal currently have three keepers in their ranks, in Arindam Bhattacharya, Suvam Sen, and Sankar Roy. Bhattacharya joins from rival club ATK Mohun Bagan whilst Suvam Sen completed his move from I League side United FC. Roy, who was a crucial cog in Mohun Bagan’s final I-League triumph before moving into ISL, signed for the club this May.
Cleevely has mentioned that he has done his homework on the footballers he will be working alongside in the coming months and expressed his excitement to join them soon.
East Bengal pretty much had an entire squad overhaul this season, and have signed 20 players since the last season ended. Some of their notable signings among Indians include Amarjit Singh, Adil Khan, Romeo Fernandes among a few.
Having completed 100 years of existence last year, East Bengal have been one of the greatest domestic clubs in Indian history, with no other club winning as many Durand Cups and IFA Shields. They’re desperate to make their mark in the ISL and this overhaul might be the pick-me-up they needed.
