ISL 2020-21: Carles Cuadrat set to continue as Bengaluru FC head coach

Carles Cuadrat is set to continue as Bengaluru FC head coach for at least one more season in the Indian Super League (ISL), The Bridge can confirm.

After an unconvincing season, there were reports which indicated that the Spaniard’s contract, which runs till 2021, would be terminated.

In the recently concluded season, the Blues lost out on the race for the top spot to FC Goa and subsequently, the AFC Champions League (ACL) berth. Then, Cuadrat’s men fell short 3-4 in the tie-breaker to Maldives’ Maziya Sports & Recreation Club in the AFC Cup, thus becoming the first-ever Indian club to fail to make it to the group stage of the tournament.

Naturally, the pressure had mounted on the coach and on the players to defend the ISL title. There was a ray of hope when Sunil Chhetri and Co. managed to eke out a narrow win against ATK FC in the first leg of the semifinal. But the Kolkata team overturned the result in the return leg and eventually, went on to lift the title.

Following Bengaluru’s defeat to ATK in Kolkata, questions had been raised about Cuadrat’s coaching. However, it is understood that the Bengaluru management are willing to put their faith in the Spanish coach for the upcoming season.

https://twitter.com/WestBlockBlues/status/1215564741243858945

While there is still some time for the ISL to return, Bengaluru have already started planning ahead. They have tied down their midfield stalwarts Dimas Delgado and Eric Paartalu and are looking to build a strong team capable enough to challenge for the ACL spot and title.

With Cuadrat at the helm, the fans can expect some continuity within the team which, in the long run, could turned out to be the X-factor!

Also read: ISL 2020-21: Star midfielder signs contract extension with Bengaluru FC