East Bengal FC appoint Dimas Delgado as new assistant coach

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], May 24 : East Bengal FC on Wednesday announced the appointment of former Indian Super League (ISL) winner Dimas Delgado as Carles Cuadrat's assistant manager on a two-year deal.

The 40-year-old will assist the newly-appointed head coach, Cuadrat, under whom he previously played for Bengaluru FC.

The former Spanish midfielder won the ISL title with BFC in the 2018-19 season after helping the Blues finish runners-up in his maiden season in India a year before.

In fact, it was off Delgado's corner kick that Rahul Bheke scored the winner for BFC against FC Goa in the 2018-19 ISL final under Cuadrat.

Delgado, a UEFA A license holder, expressed his elation at joining East Bengal FC. He said, "I got my coaching license while playing in Spain. I wanted to get into coaching and have tried to learn from all the coaches I have had in my professional career. Now that my professional playing career is over, I feel it is an amazing opportunity for me to be at a club like East Bengal and work alongside Coach Carles and Coach Bino, who have immense knowledge and experience. I have played under him in the past and we share a common philosophy and understanding of the game."

He added, "I have played in India before, so I have a fair idea of the competitiveness in Indian football. East Bengal is a historic club with a legacy of over 100 years. I am proud to be associated with this great club. I cannot wait to see the passionate Red & Gold fans."

Delgado was a vital cog in BFC's midfield during his four-year ISL stint between 2017 and 2021, registering 4 goals, 14 assists, 198 tackles, 83 interceptions and 74 clearances in 67 matches.

A product of the FC Gramenet academy, Delgado was part of Pep Guardiola's FC Barcelona B from 2006 to 2008 before joining CD Numancia, where he made his La Liga debut in 2008.

Later, between 2011 and 2015, Delgado competed in the Segunda Division with FC Cartagena and Recreativo de Huelva before moving to the A-League side Western Sydney Wanderers for a two-year spell till 2017. He last represented the Spanish club CF Montanesa before drawing curtains on his playing career.

Commenting on the occasion East Bengal FC head coach Cuadrat stated, "Dimas knows Indian football pretty well and was part of the leadership group during our fantastic run with Bengaluru FC. He will serve as a bridge between the players and the coaching staff, and we are very happy to bring him on board."